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Rauner speaks with White House on refugees

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Illinois

* From the governor’s office…

Readout of Governor Rauner Calls with WH Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security

CHICAGO – The following is a statement attributed to Lance Trover, Director of Communications:

“Governor Rauner and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough spoke by phone late Friday about the governor’s unanswered requests for information related to the Syrian refugee program. The Governor affirmed his commitment to be a partner with the federal government on the resettlement of refugees and noted a growing frustration over the federal government’s refusal to address specific security concerns and requests for information. Mr. McDonough offered to have Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas call the Governor to address his specific concerns. Governor Rauner and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas late Friday spoke by phone in follow-up to the Governor’s discussion with the White House Chief of Staff. Deputy Secretary Mayorkas expressed his interest in helping address the Governor’s requests for information about Syrian refugees coming to Illinois but said privacy concerns may preclude the federal government from sharing such information. Deputy Secretary Mayorkas agreed to assemble a team to address the Governor’s questions and would follow-up with the Governor’s Office to schedule a briefing time.”

Additional Background:

The Governor’s requests for information are as basic as it gets: who’s coming and when? As of today, the federal government refuses to provide prior notification to state officials before resettling Syrian refugees in that state and refuses to share the security background check vetting information conducted by federal intelligence agencies with that state’s law enforcement officials. While federal and state law enforcement work closely on a range of security issues, the federal government refuses to cooperate with states on information relating to Syrian refugees.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:12 pm

Comments

Looks like the Governor is doing the right thing, although most likely for the wrong reason. But now that he’s learned how the refugee program works, he can check that lesson off of his Governing 101 syllabus and get back to “Basics of Budgets.”

Also, is there a more DC term than “readout?”

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:18 pm
So the Rauner “social agenda” is starting to emerge?

Nevermind, as pointed out earlier, the far grimmer — and far more serious — ongoing violence in Chicago.

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:20 pm
adding: …just as it has for the prior 800,000 refugees settled in the US without incident.

These guys spent to much time with Mark “I carry the Football for the President” Kirk.

Lance Trover does not have the security clearance to be handed background info on refugees. Sharing intelligence places those who gathered the intelligence at risk, which is why it is shared on a “need to know” basis only.

If the folks settling in Illinois had anything in their background indicating that they were a threat, they wouldn’t be placing them in the U.S.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:21 pm
What’s getting lost in this specific statement and voicing of concerns is the nature of cataloging every person the governor spoke to, and the chain of who and what was being discussed…

… from the same Crew that couldn’t decide if the Governor-Elect personally talked to Speaker Madigan.

My point?

Showing how the process is evolving to get to the desired “confusion-conclusion” isn’t moving anything but showing busy work leading to nowhere.

“Never mistake activity for achievement.” - John Wooden.

I got it, calls, questions, concerns, “why we need pause”…

The telephone log… is the Wooden quote.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:21 pm
This is clearly political now. That’s what disgusts me most about this. Security is secondary here. This is about scoring political points.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Prelude to a policy turnaround?

Comment by Abe the Babe Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:23 pm
This is a federal issue outside of state authority. There is no partnership.

Comment by Liberty Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:26 pm
The governor should try calling the social service agencies that help settle refugees in this state. #SuperstarManagement

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:32 pm
Hey he just wants to drive the welcome wagon

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm
First duty of government, protect its citizens. As far as the feds lack of info this has been going on for decades.

Comment by Empty Suit Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:37 pm
I think Rauner has been watching too much Hawaii Five-O, where the Governor has some sort of international/terrorist protection obligations. Just stick to your budget mister.

We would welcome Syrian refugees in Springfield. Sacrilicious Syrian horseshoes, mmm.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:39 pm
Apparently it did occur to The SuperStars to check on this stuff back in January….or any month since…or any country besides Syria. Guessin’ The SuperStars will be offended when we note none of the Paris gunnin’s were done by Syria’s
Perhaps he should send a SuperStar Action Squad out to O’Hare and round up all suspects….while he is on his wait out for the holidays…Big Isnald, FL?

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:51 pm
I hope for our Syrian friends that there was a power point with lots of pictures so Bruce could get a handle on what’s going on.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:51 pm
The telephone call “read out” is a D.C. thing done by the president w/ conversations w/ foreign leaders.

Rauner’s Super Stars are doing it just to be pretentious.

You’ll notice that there is no White House, ego-inflating “read out” on their end.

Comment by King Louis XVI Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:51 pm
Precinct Captain - exactly…each member of Brucrew-Team Bumble must remove his/her “Willful Ignorance Helmet” and read up on the “how to’s” of federal/NGO partnerships AND federal/state relationships.
One would think ex-Kirk staffers wouldn’t be willing to show themselves to be so uninformed.

zonz
_________________
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:32 pm:

The governor should try calling the social service agencies that help settle refugees in this state. #SuperstarManagement

Comment by zonz Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Rauner is wasting the time of senior White House staff, which should be dealing with real security threats and other pressing issues. Rauner and co. should be ashamed of themselves.

Comment by Bull Moose Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Curiously, the governor apparently has no concerns at all regarding the refugee process as it pertains to those from Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan…..

Perhaps the governor could explain his thinking for singling out refugees from Syria. There must be very good reasons for that.

And if he wants to find out more about current Syrian refugees in Illinois, it was reported at least one group has sought to arrange a meeting with the governor and them.

Maybe the governor could ask his pal Emanuel for an invite to the Thanksgiving dinner he’s throwing for Syrian refugees.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 1:56 pm
How about presenting a balanced 2016 budget, Gov??

Comment by Big Joe Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Suit - How is the governor doing with the first duty of government?

There is no budget, many programs for the poor have been cut, numerous social services have closed. You call that protecting the people of the State of Illinois?

This is a distraction meant to focus attention on something other than the failures of the governor.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:21 pm
What a waste of time for the Chief of Staff of the most powerful government on the earth and the chief executive of the 5th largest state in the country. Ridiculous.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:23 pm
@47th - everything about their approach is pure DC, probably because it’s Kirk’s staff. Divide and conquer, talking point machines.

Comment by Anonymiss Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:28 pm
How embarrassing. This is as corny as it gets. Lance, enough with the “the federal government refuses to’s.” They’re not on trial and they have much more important work to do than address an unpopular Republican governor’s kneejerk “concerns.” I doubt they will give him a second thought.

Feel free to carry on with your little charade of “closing borders” and whatnot to protect us, though.

Comment by Politix Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:30 pm
“assembling a team” LOL

Comment by burbanite Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:36 pm
So you get your computer geeks to flag you a list of new employees in Illinois (never worked here before) ad their employers file data reports and payroll taxes.
if they arent employed they are going to show up on human services/public aid programs.
Either way you can capture who got here and when.
this gets everyone except the independently wealthy, and theu eouldnt be a refugee i presume.

You are welcome.

Comment by internal angel Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:44 pm
As long as we keep all terrorists out. Christian or otherwise.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:44 pm
If they have never filed an IL1040 they are newbies , so thats the comparison dataset.
Yup.

Comment by internal angel Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:49 pm
===First duty of government, protect its citizens.=== ES @ 1:37

Except when it comes to background checks on gun purchases, I suppose.

Comment by veritas Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 2:58 pm
People working as analysts in the stic bldg might have some of these datasets. If not, you should ask why.

Comment by internal angel Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:00 pm
You will need zipcode in the dataset. If im an investor but i live in Colorado, i still may have to file an IL1040. But not live in Il.

Comment by internal angel Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 3:41 pm
Eat what’s on your plate, Bruce. B-U-D-G-E-T

Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 4:05 pm
This is just another PR stunt by the Gov. Huckster Bruce. Refugees have been handle by ‘civic organizations’ for decades without a Gov. having anything to do about it. This is pure PR deceit to make Gov Shyster Bruce appear as having concern for this Syrian group. This is so ROFLMA a PR stunt!

Comment by IL17Progressive Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 5:49 pm
This is what explains Rauner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkRpAK3OtqQ

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 23, 15 @ 11:50 pm