The state’s failed move comes less than a week after Texas withdrew its first request for a temporary restraining order to block the arrival of two Syrian families – 12 individuals including 6 children – that arrived in Houston and Dallas on Monday.
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Abbott said the Cruz bill would allow any of the 50 governors to “unilaterally” reject the resettlement of any refugees in their states if they believe those refugees raise the risk of terrorism. “The State of IN will continue to suspend its participation IN the resettlement of Syrian refugees IN IN until the federal government takes action to address the concerns raised about this program”.
Six Syrian refugees have arrived in Houston, becoming the second such family to come to Texas this week following a lawsuit filed by officials objecting to their resettlement in the state.
Rippenkroeger said the “refugees are receiving a warm and compassionate welcome from staff and volunteers”.
But the statements from McCaul, which were included in Paxton’s filing, were less definitive – indicating that terrorists had targeted the refugee program for attempted infiltration.
The Obama administration says refugee vetting is rigorous and can take up to two years.
In Indiana, where Republican Gov. Mike Pence also vowed to stop Syrian refugees from resettling last month, the ACLU of Indiana has sued the state on behalf of a refugee group forced to divert a Syrian family to resettle in CT last month.
“In light of alarming comments made by the House Homeland Security Committee Chairman and testimony by the Deputy Director of Homeland Security at the Texas Department of Public Safety, it is essential that a judge consider halting the Syrian refugee process – at least on a temporary basis – to ensure refugees coming to the United States will be vetted in a way that does not compromise the safety of Americans and Texans”. The protests triggered a warning from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, which said that barring refugees based on their country of origin or religion would be illegal.
A Syrian couple with two children were resettled in Indianapolis Monday night where they have relatives.
Pence asked Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin last week to not resettle the family in IN amid his concerns about the screening of refugees from that war-torn part of the world.
Pence notes that Catholic Charities used private dollars to bring the Syrian family into the state. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to support a Cruz bill that would allow governors to refuse refugees they deem to be a security threat.
“These refugees are not our enemies”, Senator Tim Kaine said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of IN said Wednesday that it will continue to press a lawsuit against Pence despite his change of tone.
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Pence’s spokesman, Matt Lloyd, said Tuesday that the Republican governor’s top priority is the safety of the people of IN and that his order blocking state agencies from assisting Syrian refugees will remain IN place. The ban, she explained, does not prevent previously registered refugees from applying for resettlement in the United States once the embassy removes the obstacles on its end – but those refugees who are unable to register can not begin the process.
