BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker is opposed to religious tests for the nation’s refugee system.
A spokesman for the Republican said Saturday that Baker believes focusing on countries’ predominant religions won’t make the U.S. any safer because terrorists have found a way to strike from all corners of the world.
Baker’s office issued the statement after President Donald Trump signed executive orders Friday suspending refugee admissions for 120 days and barring all immigration for 90 days from Muslim-majority countries with terrorism concerns: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Trump also indefinitely barred the processing of Syria refugees.
A Baker spokesman said he believes the federal government should focus on improving the existing techniques to stop dangerous people from entering the country, regardless of the nation they seek to strike from.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also released a statement that read in part:
“Preventing people from entering this country based solely on faith runs counter to everything we stand for as Americans. Let’s be clear: this is not an effective way to combat terrorism and increase homeland security. It is a reckless policy that is rooted in fear, not substance, and further divides us as a nation and a world. It is simply morally wrong.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Attorney General Maura Healey also spoke out on the subject.
Watch the video above to hear from them.
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