Tiny Mississippi town offers to take in refugees

JACKSON, Miss. — A small town in the Mississippi Delta says it is willing to open its doors to refugees.

The Board of Aldermen in Louise, Miss., population 199 in the 2010 census, approved a resolution Nov. 17 in support of the U.S. policy to accept refugees from war-torn areas of the world.

Titled a “Resolution in support of the United States of America,” the motion does not name a specific group of refugees, but Mayor Thomas Ruffin Smith said the town is open to taking Syrians.

Smith said the vote was unanimous among the alderman at the special meeting that was called to address the issue

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Referencing Christianity, the resolution partially states, “This town’s governing body fears no threat, but rather feels its Christian duty and obligation to divine providence which has led this great nation from its founding to contribute relief for these poor peoples’ needs.”

“I would like to see members of the faith community bring it up in the pulpit,” said Smith. “What does our faith teach us about what we should do?”

In the days following the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, several politicians have raised concerns about accepting Syrian refugees.

Much of the response is due to the possibility that one of the Paris attackers entered Europe under the false pretense of being a refugee.

The White House has previously said they are planning for at least 10,000 Syrians in the next fiscal year.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is among the more than two-dozen governors who are opposed resettling Syrian refugees in their states.

Smith said he is not worried about the resolution creating a conflict with the state.

“There’s a long history of Southern governors resisting federal policy, and history has shown us it doesn’t work out well,” Smith said.

Other states, including neighboring Louisiana, have resettled Syrian refugees and Smith believes there’s no way to prevent them from coming to Mississippi.

Some residents are opposed to the resolution.

“It was premature for the mayor to come up with a resolution,” J. Ed Henderson said.

Henderson believes welcoming refuges could strain what he views as limited resources in the town of less than 200.

“Where would we house them?” he asked.

A community meeting to discuss the resolution was planned for Wednesday afternoon.