Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is rebuffing a bid by the White House to assuage concerns over Syrian refugees.
Rauner is one of about 30 governors nationwide who said no to taking in people fleeing war-ravaged Syria. Rauner, a Republican, cited security concerns following the terror attacks in Paris.
"What matters is a coordinated, cooperative, highly communicative effort at a national scale to protect the people of America against terrorists," he said in November.
But in an email, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly indicated the letter from President Barack Obama's administration doesn't go far enough.
Kelly says it offers to give "limited information" on refugees after they've settled in Illinois. She says that's "puzzling." Rauner wants it before they're here.
The White House characterized its plan as one that would protect refugees' privacy while also responding to governors' concerns. The State Department reportedly would give basic information -- like the age and gender of refugees who'd come to their state the month prior -- to governors who ask for it.
