Gov. Charlie Baker has declined to sign a letter from other Republican governors asking President Barack Obama to suspend efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in the U.S.
A spokeswoman for Baker said Friday the governor believes Massachusetts "has a role in welcoming refugees."
On Monday, Baker told reporters he was not interested in having the state accept additional Syrian refugees following last week's deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, saying the safety of Massachusetts residents was his first priority. He also qualified the remarks by saying he wanted to know more about how refugees would be vetted.
The letter signed by 27 GOP governors called for an immediate review by the Obama administration of how background checks are conducted on individuals applying for refugee status.
"Governor Baker believes that Massachusetts has a role in welcoming refugees into the Commonwealth and in the wake of recent, terrible tragedies overseas is working to ensure the public's safety and security despite the limited role state governments play in the process," Baker's press secretary, Lizzy Guyton, said in a statement.
A group of more than 2,500 protesters planned to take the Boston Common Friday evening in favor of accepting refugees.
