Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) on Wednesday criticized Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) for rejecting a Syrian refugee family expected to arrive in the state, noting the Indiana governor’s support earlier this year for an anti-gay religious freedom bill.
Malloy noted that Pence does not have the legal power to block refugees from living in his state, but said he wasn’t surprised by the Indiana governor’s move.
“But this is the same guy who signed a homophobic bill in the spring surrounded by homophobes,” Malloy told reporters, according to the Indianapolis Star. “So I’m not surprised by anything the governor does.”
The Indiana Division of Family Resources on Tuesday asked private refugee agencies in the state to redirect a family set to arrive in Indiana on Wednesday, and the agencies worked to find a new home for the family of three in New Haven, Connecticut.
“It is the right thing, the humane thing to do,” Malloy told reporters about his willingness to accept the refugees in his state, according to the Indianapolis Star. “Quite frankly, if you believe in God, it’s the morally correct thing to do.”
Since the terrorist attacks in Paris last week, more than two dozen governors have called for their states to reject refugees from Syria. Lawmakers are responding to reports that one of the attackers had a Syrian passport, which officials say is likely fake.
