In the wake of 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino , California , Deal issued an executive order ordering state agencies to " halt any involvement in accepting refugees from Syria for resettlement in the state of Georgia " , resulting in the state 's Department of Human Resources refusing to process applications for food stamps and other benefits filed by newly arrived Syrian refugees . Deal rescinded his order on January 4 , 2016 , after Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens said Deal lacked the authority to issue it
terrorist attacks in Paris
November 2015 Paris attacks
Nathan Deal