Syrian refugees have suffered a myriad of misfortunes since the Syrian civil war began four years ago. Twelve million Syrians have been displaced from their homes since 2011, and nearly four million refugees have fled the country entirely, often living in overcrowded refugee camps.

Now, many of those attempting to enter the United States face the dual misfortune of arriving in the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris — and in the midst of a heated presidential primary season. Unfortunately, much of the rhetoric surrounding the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. has little basis in reality.

The deplorable attacks in Paris should encourage us to closely scrutinize refugees, not to shut the door to them entirely.

Unfortunately, 24 governors have already called for the federal government to cease resettling refugees in their states –despite the fact that they have no legal basis to do so.