Now Will Nikki Haley Reject Refugee Scam?

LET’S HOPE SO …

Establishment “Republican” S.C. governor Nikki Haley was touting herself as the daughter of the Tea Party again recently … making us wonder whether she’s pondering another ideological recalibration.  Or perhaps another wholesale reinvention.

If so, then she might want to consider reversing her current position on the establishment of new government-subsidized refugee camps in the Palmetto State – including the one we broke wide open in Spartanburg, S.C. earlier this year.

Under this scheme, the United Nations picks refugees for “resettlement” in the United States – a process paid for by U.S. taxpayers under the auspices of heavily subsidized (usually uber-liberal) nonprofits.  Many of these liberal groups masquerade as “Christian” charities, exploiting the social conservatives living in the Upstate region of the Palmetto State.

Speaking of exploitation … once federal tax dollars have gone to pay for these resettlements (via the U.S. State Department), local governments are stuck with the costs of providing for these refugees.

We have consistently opposed these settlements … and we’re not alone.

And now … in light of the gruesome terror attacks in France, several state leaders have come out against further subsidized immigration.  How come?  Because at least one of the attackers was a refugee from war-torn Syria, one of many places where American weapons have landed in the hands of some very unsavory individuals.

Three governors (none of whom are named Nikki Haley) stepped up this week – calling for an end to subsidized resettlement.

“Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration,” governor Rick Snyder said in a statement. “But our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents.”

“I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way,” governor Robert Bentley said in outlining his opposing to resettlement.

Another southern governor, Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, wants to know whether refugees with ties to terrorist organizations have already been placed in his state.

“Louisiana has been kept in the dark about those seeking refuge in the state,” Jindal wrote in a letter to U.S. president Barack Obama. “It is irresponsible and severely disconcerting to place individuals, who may have ties to ISIS, in a state without the state’s knowledge or involvement.”

“As governor of Louisiana, I demand information,” Jindal added.

Haley?  Last time we checked she wasn’t demanding anything.  In fact she was instead defying state law and running the refugee program out of her scandal-scarred S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) – even though the resettlement hadn’t received an affirmative vote from local government.

In fact Haley not only went on the record supporting the program, she’s reportedly authorized SCDSS to expand it in the coming fiscal year – again, without the local authorization state budget leaders required her to receive in advance.

Insane …

Our basis for opposing this program has always been on fiscal grounds – arguing that tax dollars routed through liberal foundations should never be expended in a way that imposes long-term obligations on South Carolina taxpayers.

If “Tea Party” Nikki Haley won’t accept that rationale, though, at the very least she ought to recognize the clear and present danger such resettlement scams pose to her citizens.  And start acting accordingly.

One of the state lawmakers who has been leading the charge against the refugee resettlements – S.C. Rep. Donna Hicks of Spartanburg – said she would press Haley on this issue.

“I have reached out to the governor regarding her position on accepting refugees to South Carolina in light of the recent attack on Paris,” Hicks wrote on her Facebook page.  “I will keep you informed.”

UPDATE: Well, well … Haley has seen the light, according to The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier.  Well, sort of.  She now says her office will “put a stop to” any efforts to settle Syrian refugees in the Palmetto State.

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