TOPEKA — A coalition of Kansas clergy has offered a petition to Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration asking the governor to rescind an executive order attempting to halt the relocation of Syrian refugees in the state.
The Wichita Eagle reported Wednesday that the group representing more than 50 Kansas churches says the order impedes their religious liberty to help refugees.
Brownback issued the order on Nov. 16 directing that no state agency or organization receiving grant money through the state government to participate or assist “in any way in the relocation of Syrian refugees to Kansas” in the wake of the November attacks in Paris.
Eileen Hawley, a spokeswoman for Brownback, said the state has always welcomed refugees, but the federal government cannot guarantee security checks regarding the resettlement of refugees.
