JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 A state lawmaker is asking her Republican colleagues to sign a letter calling on Gov. Mike Parson to ban Palestinian refugees from being allowed to settle in Missouri.
Rep. Chris Dinkins, R-Lesterville, who is running for a Senate seat representing a swath of southeast Missouri, said on social media Monday that she is concerned that the safety of Missourians would be compromised if individuals from the war-torn Gaza Strip in Israel were allowed in the U.S.
This week I will be issuing my letter to . I am asking for my Republican Colleagues in the Missouri Legislature to join me in calling for Governor Parson to proactively prohibit the resettlement of any Palestinian refugees from Gaza in our state.
鈥 Chris Dinkins (@ChrisDinkinsMO)
鈥淚 lack faith in the Biden (administration) to properly vet refugees from Gaza to ensure we are not brin(g)ing a terrorist threat to American soil. We must clearly say we will not accept any Gaza refugees under any circumstance,鈥 wrote Dinkins, who was elected to the House in 2018.
Parson鈥檚 office did not have an immediate response to the maneuver, which has become a talking point for Republicans running for president.
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Former President Donald Trump, for example, has suggested that a surge of civilian refugees could allow extremists into the country.
But U.S. law and the Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 screening process makes such an onslaught unlikely. Of an estimated 60,000 refugees admitted into the U.S. during the last fiscal year, only 56 came from Palestinian territories.

Rep. Chris Dinkins, R-Lesterville, is applauded as she is elected temporary house speaker during the opening day of the Missouri legislative session on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Jefferson City.
Dinkins鈥 missive was met with skepticism from Democrats.
Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Kansas City, asked on social media, 鈥淲WJD,鈥 shorthand for 鈥淲hat would Jesus do?鈥
Ray Reed, a Democrat running for a seat in St. 香港三级片 County, said Missouri should be welcoming to those seeking refuge.
鈥淧alestinian refugees bring cultural diversity that enriches our communities and contributes to our economic growth through their skills and talents,鈥 Reed said on X, formerly Twitter.
The proposal could be among a slew of legislation filed this year focusing on alleged threats to Missouri by foreign entities.
House and Senate leaders are planning to push for a ban on Chinese ownership of farmland, while Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek has sought to limit investments in China from being part of the state鈥檚 pension programs.
Missouri's Legislature reflects the federal structure in many ways. Video by Beth O'Malley