Rep. Neal Won't Say If He Agrees Or Disagrees With Mayor Sarno's Attempt To Block Refugees

Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Richard Neal is declining to say if he agrees with Mayor Domenic Sarno's attempt to block refugee resettlement in Springfield. 

President Trump last year gave local officials the right to refuse more refugees, an option Sarno took, saying further resettlement "puts an unfair burden" on schools and taxpayers. He has also criticized the "accountability and follow through" of resettlement agencies.

Trump's executive order has been blocked by a federal court — for now, at least.

Neal, himself a former mayor of Springfield, said he disagrees with Trump's executive order, but stopped short of commenting on Sarno's position.

"I hope that the mayor's argument, as he's made it, is one that will lead to some opportunity for some dialogue between the advocates and the mayor on this issue," Neal said following an unrelated event Thursday in Springfield.

Asked later for clarification on Neal's position, a spokeswoman said the issue has an "overwhelming local angle [and] Congressman Neal's response... indicates that is where the conversations need to transpire."

But such conversations appear unlikely. 

Last week, activists from the Pioneer Valley Project called for Sarno to meet with them and discuss his position on refugees. Sarno declined, according to his spokesman, and sent them the following note:

That letter is posted on the city's website.

The head of a refugees resettlement agency, Maxine Stein of Jewish Family Service, has previously complained that Sarno refused to meet with her about this issue.