The Chicago city council on Wednesday passed a symbolic resolution in favor of accepting Syrian refugees into the city despite Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s (R) announcement that the state would stop accepting them, NBC Chicago reported.
“It cannot be in this moment when those in France have the courage to commit themselves to their values that we are weakened and walk away,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, according to NBC News. “I’m honored that we’ve done this resolution. I’m honored that here in Chicago we speak up for what’s right.”
Neither cities nor states can officially reject refugees, as the federal government determines immigration policy. But the federal government works with states and private agencies to help resettle refugees when they arrive in the U.S.
Ald. Ed Burke, one of the resolution’s sponsors, told NBC Chicago that Rauner does not have the authority to bar refugees from Syria.
“Many of us on the City Council have expressed the opinion that Gov. Rauner has no legal authority to block Syrian refugees fleeing violence from being placed in Illinois,” he said. “It is our view that Chicago should continue its long and proud history of being one of the most immigrant friendly cities in the world. It is a metropolis that was built on generations of immigrants.”
