Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant sent a letter to Obama stating he would not allow the federal government to bring illegals into his state.
“To the extent permitted by law, I intend to prohibit the federal government or its agents from housing large numbers of new illegal immigrants in the state of Mississippi,” Bryant wrote.
“Illegal immigration imposes real and substantial costs on the states, and it is unfair to expect the states to bear the costs of a problem created by the federal government’s failure to enforce the law.”
JACKSON — Mississippi has received fewer than 200 of the unaccompanied immigrant children who crossed the U.S. border and were released to sponsors so far this year, but the war of words over such children continues within the state.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families released data yesterday showing that sponsors in Mississippi received 179 of more than 30,000 such children nationwide from January 1 to July 7.
California, Florida, New York and Texas received the most children in the past half year, accounting for 46 percent of the children released to sponsors.
Gov. Phil Bryant, a longtime opponent of illegal immigration, said it was “troubling” that the federal government was sending children to Mississippi without consulting him, calling the moves “covert immigration practices conducted by an overreaching federal government.”
Bryant, a Republican, wrote to President Barack Obama on Friday demanding that Obama pre-announce plans to send immigrants to Mississippi and saying Mississippi would block transports.
Bryant, who accused Obama of having “lax immigration policies and flagrant disregard for federal immigration law” noted a 2012 executive order he signed that’s meant to bar immigrants living in Mississippi illegally from receiving public benefits. Yesterday, he threatened immediate action against any official who violates that order by giving food stamps, non-emergency medical benefits or welfare payments to the children.
The Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance held a news conference yesterday to decry Bryant’s letter, saying Mississippi should welcome children in need and afford them a chance to go through deportation hearings under federal law.
“We’re very concerned about the xenophobia in the letter that was put out by the governor,” said alliance Executive Director Bill Chandler.
Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., sent his own letter to Obama criticizing Bryant’s stance.
“We have a moral obligation as Americans and as decent human beings to do the right by the kids that have, against the odds, reached our border,” Thompson wrote. “Many Mississippians agree on this — you can count me among them.”
Stand up man
Smart governor! All republican governor’s should do the same!
All govenors should do this, then they’d have to go back where they came from or some place else. Our states can’t afford the added expense of these illegals, most who will end up on the give me roll, WELFARE, HOUSING (SECT 8), MEDICAL, SNAP, we already have enough people receiving these benefits,& many who are ABUSING IT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY NEED THEM. Most states have huge unemployment & not enough $$$$ to support the unemployed with necessities, causing over population in schools. Stay where you are & fight for what you want. We did & now you expect us to take care of you.
Why am I not surprised ? Yeah the liberals are the ones sucking up all the freebies and costing all the money . He should go first and then his cronies !!!!!!
Mississippi – one of the states that receives more from the federal government than it add to the economy! Yeah we look to you to lead the nation
Good job Governor from blocking your own people from getting access to the ACA. Good man.
Who is going to pay for the illegals if they get the ACA or Obamacare they are illegal and should not be able to receive ACA Period
All states follow suite with Mississippi. Then they can override OBAMAS illegal Consistuational override.
They’re not failing at enforcing any law. They’re forcing wetbacks on us with the law.
GOOD FOR YOU!!!