Deal voids order seeking to bar Syrian refugees

ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal today rescinded an order he issued in November seeking to bar the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The change of direction comes after an opinion from state Attorney General Sam Olens that said the state had no authority to stop the refugees, the paper reported.

Deal made the move amid growing backlash by states nationwide. In the wake of an ISIS terrorist attack in Paris that left 129 people dead, a number of governors said they opposed to refugees relocating to their states.

According to the governor’s office, Deal has demanded that the federal government limit the number of refugees sent to Georgia since 2012.