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Dayton: Syrian Refugees Welcome In MN, If Given Screenings

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton isn't objecting to the possible placement of Syrian refugees in his state as long as they undergo rigorous screening first.

Dayton released a statement Monday saying he's been assured by the White House that any refugees from the war-torn country would be "subject to the highest level of security checks of any category of traveler to the United States."

President Barack Obama's administration has pledged to accept about 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next 12 months. The U.S. State Department has said the refugees would be spread across the country.

The Democratic governor's stance is in contrast to those in several Republican-led states, where governors say they don't want any refugees settled within their borders in the wake of last week's terror attacks in Paris.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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