Texas Ag Commissioner Stands By Refugees Comments

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is not backing down from his comments on social media this week comparing Syrian refugees to rattlesnakes.

Miller, of Stephenville, posted a note Wednesday on his Facebook page that asked, "Can you tell me which of these rattlers won't bite you? Sure some of them won't, but tell me which ones so we can bring them into the house." It was accompanied by an image of refugees and an image of rattlesnakes.

Miller said Friday that not only does he stand by what he says, but he has gotten great reaction from it.

"I compared rattlesnakes to Syrian jihadist refugees, which is kind of an insult to the rattlesnakes actually," Miller told NBC 5.

The Texas Democratic Party jumped on the comments, saying Miller is just fueling fear.

Miller, 60, was elected agriculture commissioner last November after serving many years in the Texas House.

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Texas is among dozens of states whose governors have declared they will not take in Syrian refugees, citing security concerns.

On Friday, Texas instructed volunteer organizations that settle international refugees to immediately stop helping Syrians.