Syrian refugees are scheduled to arrive in Texas on Monday after the state eased up in its legal fight against resettlement agencies and the federal government.
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The results of the case filed at a USA district court in Dallas could determine whether the governors of about 30 states will be able to go through with plans to bar the local resettlement of Syrian refugees. Another nine refugees are scheduled to arrive in Houston on Thursday.
Shortly after the terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead last month, Abbott issued a statement vowing not to accept Syrian refugees in Texas, saying federal officials and immigration groups are unable to give him any assurances that the refugees will not pose a danger to Texas and its citizens.
The Obama administration has said that states don’t have the authority to block refugees, and advocates say connecting refugees to fears of terrorism is misguided.
That clears the way for the family of six – a couple, their two small children and two grandparents – to arrive in Dallas. Volunteers have collected furniture, hygiene products and other items for the apartment – including a bicycle each for the two children in the family.
– December 3-4: Twelve Syrian refugees arrive in NY; six who are destined for Dallas and six for Houston.
The International Rescue Committee, which was also named as a party in the suit, said in its filing that barring entry to a state based on nationality violated US civil rights laws.
A Syrian refugee woman waits at the registration office at the UNHCR Headquarters in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015.
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Their arrivals come after the state pulled its restraining order to keep refugees out of Texas. Federal officials say they plan to allow as many as 250 additional Syrians in to Texas.
