Church working to settle Syrian refugees, despite Pence's opposition

WASHINGTON — The Catholic Church hopes to bring a Syrian refugee family to Indianapolis this month, despite Gov. Mike Pence’s opposition.

Although a final decision hasn’t been made, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has received private offers of assistance to make up for the state aid Pence has blocked.

“We’re moving ahead with the intention that they are coming here,” said Greg Otolski, spokesman for the archdiocese. “Unless something happens that makes the situation seem really unwelcoming in Indiana, we want them here.”

Pence last month directed the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to "suspend" resettlement of Syrian refugees until he is satisfied the federal government has put in place proper security measures to screen out potential terrorists.

His decision came after reports that one of the perpetrators of the Paris terrorist attacks might have  entered France by posing as a refugee from Syria.

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The Obama administration has tried to assure Pence and other governors who have raised objections that the 18- to 24-month vetting process for refugees is stringent. But Pence argues the administration still hasn’t addressed the fact that the heads of the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have said they have less information about refugees from Syria than those from Iraq.

“Governor Pence took action to pause the Syrian refugee resettlement program in order to ensure the safety and security of the people of Indiana," spokesman Matt Lloyd said Monday after the latest communication from the administration to governors. "The Obama administration has failed to provide adequate security and background information to governors across the country, including Indiana, about the resettlement process. The Obama administration also continues to ignore the concerns raised about the program by its own FBI director and a bipartisan majority of governors. Therefore, Governor Pence’s stance on the refugee resettlement program has not changed.”

After the state asked another resettlement organization, Exodus Refugee Immigration, to redirect a Syrian family set to arrive last month, the refugees went to Connecticut.

But the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has since filed a federal lawsuit against Pence on behalf of Exodus.

Otolski said the Catholic Church hopes to resolve the situation without suing anybody.

“We think that when everybody sits down and reviews the case and looks at the facts, people will see that this is a family that had to flee their home and have been the victims of serious violence around them,” he said. “And this is what we do, as the Catholic Church in Indiana, with refugees from anywhere.”

The Syrian family of four scheduled to come next week to Indianapolis, where they have friends, has been in a refugee camp in Jordan for about three years.

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Of the millions of Syrians who have fled the country, the United Nations recommends to the United States those likely to qualify for refugee status here. The Obama administration says it gives priority to the most vulnerable Syrians, including female-headed households, children, torture victims and those with severe medical conditions. Background checks, which include interviews overseas, fingerprinting and biometric investigations, are completed by multiple federal agencies.

Although nonprofit organizations handle the resettlement, the state receives money from the federal government for employment training, English language classes and case management services for refugees. The state also administers benefits, such as Medicaid, cash assistance and food stamps.

In a letter sent to states last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement pointed out that the Refugee Act of 1980 requires states to provide “assistance and services … to refugees without regard to race, religion, nationality, sex or political opinion.”

“The money is there to help people who are in the exact situation that this family is in, so we believe that they’re entitled to it,” Otolski said.

But people have offered to fill the gap for any services the state refuses to provide.

“We see that as a big plus,” he said. “Clearly there are people here who don’t think this is a threat and want to do what they can to help this family.”

The spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party said the Catholic Church is “reclaiming the true meaning of 'Hoosier Hospitality.' ”

“Indiana’s governor may be playing politics and sticking with his ideology,” said spokesman Drew Anderson, “but Hoosiers know that Indiana should continue to be a welcoming place.”

USA TODAY reporter Gregory Korte contributed to this story.

Email Maureen Groppe at mgroppe@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: or @mgroppe.

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