Indiana Gov. Pence Says He Won’t Block State Aid To Syrian Refugees

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) announced on Tuesday that he will not block state aid to the Syrian refugee family that arrived in the state Monday night, despite his previous order to state agencies not to aid refugees from Syria.

“I have no intention of interfering with the ordinary administration of state government relative to people who are legally within the state of Indiana,” Pence said at a press conference, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Pence announced in November that state agencies should suspend aid to Syrian refugees, and he successfully redirected a Syrian refugee family to Connecticut earlier in December even though they had been scheduled to arrive in Indiana.

However, Catholic Charities moved ahead with plans to resettle a Syrian refugee family in Indiana despite objections from Pence. The refugees joined a family already living in Indianapolis on Monday night.

With Pence’s announcement, the Syrian refugees will not have any trouble receiving state assistance like food stamps. Catholic Charities also raised funds to resettle the family on its own without government resources funneled through the state.

During the press conference, a reporter asked Pence if his opposition to Syrian refugees resettling in the state was merely symbolic given that he will now allow the new family access to state aid, according to the Indianapolis Star.

“It is not symbolic in the least,” Pence responded. “I recognize Catholic Charities raised private dollars, but I have it in my power to suspend this program and suspend the resources.”