- Arkansas’ Republican governor on Monday defended his decision to continue accepting new refugees, challenging skeptical GOP lawmakers to avoid creating “fear” about welcoming people from other countries. Asa Hutchinson told a legislative committee that fewer than 50 refugees will likely be resettled in Washington County in northwestern Arkansas under his decision. You’ve got a choice to make: You can create fear or you can help resolve fear,“ Hutchinson told lawmakers. Hutchinson introduced lawmakers to two refugees from Congo and another from Afghanistan who have resettled to Arkansas in recent years. Hutchinson’s comments came days after Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of neighbouring Texas, said his state would be the first under Trump’s order to no longer accept new refugees.

Source: thestar January 13, 2020 17:15 UTC