A relief agency said Monday it plans to resettle Syrian refugees in Texas despite a threat from the state to cut funding to the nonprofit organization if it tries to do so.
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The State Department reports that 2,234 Syrian refugees have been screened and admitted to the us since 2010, and that none have been arrested or removed from the country on terrorism charges.
“We strongly believe that a failure to cooperate with the state on this matter violates federal law and your contract with the state”, wrote Chris Traylor, executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, in the letter addressed to the Dallas office of the International Rescue Committee.
Gov. Kate Brown applauded actions announced by the White House on Monday to provide all governors with more information about refugees entering their states.
Abbott has insisted he has the legal authority to refuse to accept Syrian refugees, citing a specific part of federal law requiring resettlement nonprofits to work “in close cooperation and advance consultation” with the state.
“They have family ties in the area and are coming to rejoin family members who are already here”, she said.
Robert Carey, director of HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), said in the November 25 letter that “states may not deny ORR-funded benefits and services to refugees based on a refugee’s country of origin or religious affiliation”. Federal courts – including the U.S. Supreme Court – have said immigration and admission of noncitizens to the United States is a federal responsibility and one managed wholly by the federal government. The group receives federal funding and operates through the state’s refugee resettlement program within its Health and Human Services Commission.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, Syrian refugees Reem Habashieh, right, and her mother Khawla Kareem, left, prepare dinner in their flat in Zwickau, eastern Germany.
Texas has traditionally been welcoming to the world’s refugees, according to the State Department’s Refugee Processing Center.
SEE ALSO:Local reaction to keeping Syrian refugees out of U.S.
In addition to the refugees bill, the House next week is expected to vote on a package of bills to tighten the program that allows foreigners to travel to the USA without a visa. Funds to provide housing, clothing, and other assistance are distributed jointly by state and federal offices through contracts with partners such as IRC.
“I’m encouraged that the White House listened to governors, wantedto follow up directly, and worked to improve the process”, said David Quam, the deputy director of the NGA.
McCaul isn’t the only Texas Republican trying to get his refugee legislation included in the omnibus. The ACLU filed suit on behalf of a resettlement group in Indiana.
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Carrigan said that the IRC has “had a longstanding presence in Texas”, and intends to continue “working with state officials to work through this particular issue and to assuage their fears”.
