Boston mayor: ‘We would take’ refugees

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh (D) said on Wednesday that his city is open to accepting refugees now flooding Europe.

“We would be willing to take migrants if they have them,” he said, according to the Boston Herald. “If we needed to, we would take them.”

“No one has contacted us about the migrants,” Walsh added. “We are waiting to see what happens and what the situation is. That situation is still trying to figure itself out, particularly in Europe.”

Walsh did not identify a specific number of refugees his city is capable of sheltering should it offer safe harbor.

Europe is currently grappling with a massive flood of refugees, particularly from war-torn Syria.

Refugees are now overwhelming continental Europe’s resources and infrastructure as they escape crises in the Middle East and Northern Africa.

The humanitarian crisis is quickly turning into an issue for both the Obama administration and 2016 contenders seeking to succeed it next election cycle.

The White House announced on Tuesday that it is reexamining how it can best help stem the tide of humanity overseas following increased media attention on the issue.

“It does appear that the situation is worsening and that’s why the United States is considering additional steps it could take to help countries that are bearing the brunt of the burden,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said that afternoon.

The 2016 presidential field is striking a tone between sympathy and caution given the possibility of terrorism from incoming refugees.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Tuesday that the U.S. should field its “fair share” of displaced civilians in the wake of recent turmoil overseas

“You have the refugee organizations that are overwhelmed, [so] I think it’s in our national security interests to try to get ahead of this problem,” the Republican White House hopeful added.

Former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-Md.), meanwhile, has repeatedly urged the administration to house at least 65,000 refugees from Syria by 2016.

“We must do more to support Syrian refugees – and we must certainly welcome more than the proposed 5,000 to 8,000 refugees next year,” said O’Malley, a 2016 Democratic presidential contender.