Waterford Township passes resolution to refuse Syrian refugees

Controversial resolution passed unanimously

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Waterford Township unanimously passed a controversial resolution that aims to keep Syrian refugees from re-settling in their community.

At times, there were some jeering of opinions. California just recently passed Michigan for states with the most Syrian refugees -- more than 1,400 refugees have re-settled in Michigan since 2011, most of them in Metro Detroit.

On Monday night, Waterford Township trustees made it clear that none are welcome to settle there.

There was some opposition to the resolution Monday, but the majority of the crowd backed the board.

"I want you to know there's a lot of support in the community for what you're doing to protect us," a community resident said.

Many echoed the same concerns in the resolution that Syrian refugees being re-settled in the United States haven't been vetted enough and could be terrorists looking for a way in.

"How many bad apples does it take?"  a resident asked. "How many dead Americans are we going to see because we are so compassionate?"

Others see it as unconstitutional and un-American.

"Some of our leaders want us to fear anyone who is not white and not male and not Christian," one person said. "This resolution is unpatriotic and unconstitutional."

The trustees were unanimous with the township supervisor, citing too many red flags brought to his attention by Homeland Security.

"Bottom line is, until we're sure of this process, we've got to protect what's ours," Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall said.

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