HELENA — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock says refugees requesting settlement in Montana will be denied if there are safety concerns.
The Democratic governor’s comments on Monday follow last week’s attacks in Paris. Governors across the U.S. have threatened to stop accepting Syrian refugees because of the attacks.
Legal experts say governors don’t have any authority to block resettlements under the Refugee Act of 1980.
Bullock’s statement says the state is reviewing its protocols for resettlements and safety is the top priority.
He says the state will not allow any terrorist organization to intimidate it into abandoning its values.
The state protocols primarily outline the benefits and services refugees receive. Validation of the refugees’ status is done at the federal level.
No Syrian refugees have settled or requested to be settled in Montana.