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Michael Moore Defies State's Ban, Opens Home To Syrian Refugees

DETROIT (CBS Detroit/AP) -- Documentarian, Michigan-native and noted liberal Michael Moore has responded to Governor Rick Snyder's decision to halt acceptance of Syrian refugees.

Moore posted an open letter to the governor on Facebook Friday, saying that he will open his own home to those who have been displaced by violence in the Middle East.

Snyder announced the decision in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks that killed more than 100 people in Paris on Nov. 13.

Snyder said in a statement Sunday that the state is postponing efforts to accept refugees until federal officials fully review security clearances and procedures. He added that Michigan is "proud of our rich history of immigration" but that Michigan's "first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."

"There will be difficult days ahead for the people of France and they remain in our thoughts and prayers," he said. "It's also important to remember that these attacks are the efforts of extremists and do not reflect the peaceful ways of people of Middle Eastern descent here and around the world."

Snyder had welcomed the refugees for humanitarian reasons as well as to address the state's job and population loss. Snyder, who said that refugees who have cleared security hurdles have something to offer economically and culturally, had been talking with federal officials about what the state can do about accepting more people.

No decisions are final on numbers or locations for refugees, but the Detroit area stands out for its large and well-established Arab-American population.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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