Governor Sam Brownback says he’ll use any action within his means to block the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Kansas. Brownback and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley sent a joint letter to Defense Secretary Ash Carter saying they don’t want detainees housed in their states.
“To even discuss bringing these terrorists to the United States is an insult to those who perished in the September 11th attacks and the those who served in America’s war on terror. Governor Haley and I are committed to protecting the citizens of our states and this country,” says Brownback.
Brownback says moving the detainees to a U.S. state would violate federal law.
“We are sovereign states, and we will not be part of any illegal and ill-advised action by the administration, especially when that action relates to importing terrorists into our states."
Fort Leavenworth and a Navy facility in South Carolina have been evaluated as possible locations to house detainees. President Obama has made closing the detention center in Cuba a priority, but so far his efforts have met strong opposition.