Syrian refugees speak out about Arizona Governor's decision

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Over 30 Governors and several lawmakers in Washington have begun fighting plans to bring Syrian refugees into the United States. Arizona's Governor Doug Ducey is one of them.

FOX 10 spoke with a Syrian family who lives in the valley for their take on the plight of these refugees.

There are about 100 refugees in Arizona; the family FOX 10 spoke with says they have no sympathy for the terrorists, and they say it was the terrorists and Syrian Civil War that forced them to leave their home.

2-year-old Lulu only knows this life: soccer, bike rides, and a safe family. But for her parents, grandparents and seven siblings, the memory of war-torn Syria is fresh in their minds. They arrived in Phoenix six months ago as refugees.

"Our house was destroyed, we were moving from place to place, some days we would live under a tree in the rain, snow in the cold, we had nowhere else to go," said Hala Alhalawa.

Zana Alattar is the Arizona State University Student Director of the National Organization for Syria and was translating for the family.

"It was an impossible decision, but we had no choice, we lost so many family members, but I couldn't stand by and watch as my children were killed," said Mohammad Alhalawa.

But if Governor Doug Ducey has his way no more families like Lulu's will be let into Arizona. Congress is now taking up the issue and proposing a stricter application process. In a statement, Ducey said in part, "I am encouraged by efforts in Congress to pause refugee admissions from Syria and Iraq until we have a new standard of verification and assurances to the public."

Phoenix City Council member Kate Gallego says her office has been flooded with calls from refugees worried about the backlash.

"The world is in crisis, there is no doubt, but refugees are already under the most vetted process coming into the United States, this is not the step we need to keep our country safer," said Kate Gallego.

Lulu's parents say Arizona has been nothing but welcoming.

"In the time being in the United States is our home, it's the place where my children's future is going to be developed, so until Syria is safe I hope they can build their future here," said Mohammad.

A future in America where a child like Lulu has the chance to play and sleep in peace.

Despite the opposition from governors around the country, the Obama administration has said it will allow 10,000 new Syrian refugees into the U.S. next year.