Kate Brown in Syrian Refugee Crisis

On Immigration: Open the doors of opportunity for Syrian refugees

In a letter to Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, Brown said she has neither the authority nor the will to keep Syrian refugees from resettling in Oregon. "As Oregonians, it is our moral obligation to help them rebuild their lives," Brown wrote. "In Oregon we will continue to abide by federal laws regarding resettlement. Oregon does not have a direct role or act independently of the federal government."

Brown's statements came as a wave of mostly Republican governors across the U.S. have sought to close state borders to Syrian refugees.