MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Barack Obama has harsh criticism for Republicans lining up in opposition to allowing Syrian refugees to enter the U.S. Speaking in the Philippines, Obama said the opponents are apparently “scared of widows and orphans coming.” Republican governors and lawmakers have cited security concerns.

The Obama administration plans to steadily increase the number of refugees accepted in the United States for the next two years. Those fleeing Syria and other war ravaged countries whose claims have been investigated and who have been invited to live in the United States are considered refugees.

The U.S. will accept 85,000 people in 2016 and 100,000 in 2017, mostly Syrian refugees. More than half of U.S. governors object to plans to resettle Syrian refugees in the U.S.