Keesler: We have not treated Syrian refugees

Officials at Keesler Air Force Base shot down a rumor making its way across Facebook that the base's medical center has treated thousands of Syrian refugees.

The Facebook post, which has been shared more than 250 times in the past day, claimed doctors at the medical center had been working on 2,000 Syrian refugees, at the expense of American soldiers. It said a Keesler doctor implied several had gone missing.

Not true, said Tech. Sgt. Greg Biondo with Keesler public affairs.

The medical center treats federal beneficiaries -- those in the military, veterans and their family members.

No Syrian refugees have been seen there.

According to the U.S. State Department, there haven't even been 2,000 Syrian refugees admitted to the entire United States since 2012. That number is hovering just above 1,850. None has arrived in Mississippi.

But rumors and fear have spread since the terrorist attacks in Paris that left 129 dead and hundreds wounded. After the attack, officials said a Syrian passport was found on one of the assailants; investigators have since said the passport was fake.

Gov. Phil Bryant on Monday joined the list of 30 mostly Republican governors who vowed to block Syrian refugees from settling in their states.

After it became clear governors may not have the authority to make that decision, U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo, R-4, introduced a bill in the House that would give state leaders that right.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Keesler: We have not treated Syrian refugees ."