Daryl Metcalfe

HARRISBURG — Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Majority Chairman, and 100 other state lawmakers sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf today stating their safety concerns regarding the governor’s decision to work with the Obama administration to resettle Syrian refugees in the state after the Paris terrorist attacks.

The letter states:

“We were disturbed to learn that you will continue to welcome Syrian refugees ... This decision places the welfare of individuals who live thousands of miles away above the welfare of the Pennsylvanians you were elected to serve.

“In this announcement, you indicate that ‘Pennsylvania will continue working with the federal government to ensure that all individuals have gone through the proper screening process.’ Your reliance on federal security measures is disconcerting to say the least, given that FBI Director James Comey recently testified before Congress regarding the challenges in tracking potential terrorists within our borders.

“At an Oct. 8 Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing, Director Comey indicated that there are gaps in the federal government’s ability to screen Syrian refugees.

“As we have heard, at least one of the terrorists implicated in the Paris attacks is suspected of posing as a refugee in order to gain admittance to France.

“In addition to the unknown dangers to which your policy exposes Pennsylvanians, the acceptance of additional refugees within Pennsylvania’s border will impose costs on the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.

“ ... we ask you to follow the lead of your fellow governors who have taken strong and decisive action to protect their citizens and to reverse your decision to accept Syrian refugees within Pennsylvania borders.”