Detroit suburb votes to reject Syrian refugee resettlement

Local leaders in a Detroit suburb unanimously voted Monday to refuse to participate in a Syrian refugee resettlement program until the federal government institutes significant immigration policy changes.

The resolution approved by the Waterford Charter Township board referred to the congressional testimony of federal authorities that claim "that refugees from failed states such as Syria cannot be adequately vetted to ensure that they do not have terrorist ties because the necessary records do not exist" and argued that current policy significantly burdens local communities.

"The Charter Township of Waterford will not actively participate in the Refugee Resettlement Program until the program has been significantly reformed, and until it has been demonstrated that the Townships of Oakland County have the capacity to absorb refugees without diverting funds from needy residents or exposing their residents to unwarranted security risks," reads the document.

Board members stressed they don't view the resolution as a ban or as motivated by prejudice, reported the Detroit News.

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