Texas, Federal Government Face Off In Courts Over Syrian Refugees

Texas is dropping immediate efforts to block the arrival of Syrian refugees who are scheduled to resettle in the state next week.

The International Rescue Committee, the relief agency resettling the refugees, filed a separate lawsuit against the state asserting that Texas could not discriminate against refugees based on nationality. The family could arrive as early as Monday and includes two children under the age of 6.

Texas leaders, including Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton have expressed concern over the federal government’s ability to properly screen these refugees. The family is staying in a NY hotel after its arrival in Texas was delayed for four days.

The federal government is arguing that Texas’ argument is “without merit” and says it has met its obligation to “provide advance consultation regarding individual resettlement decisions”.

Anne Marie Weiss-Armush, president of DFW International, a network of internationally focused groups in Dallas-Fort Worth, said her organization’s Refugee Support Network has helped gather furnishing for the family and stocked the kitchen.

The federal government responded Friday, saying it had communicated with the state as required and that Texas’ request would prolong the suffering of families with small children for no legitimate reason.

“The FBI as well as other federal officials have made it clear – they have no ability to ensure the safety and security of the refugees they are admitting into the United States”, Abbott has said.

On Dec. 10, a Syrian family of eight, including six children, is scheduled to be resettled in Houston, in addition to a 26-year-old woman whose mother already resides in the area.

Since 2011, almost 250 Syrian refugees have been resettled in the state, making Texas one of the largest relocation sites since the war began, Raw Story reported.

“The mayor said he believed it would only be temporary and scolded Texas for not letting the refugees into the state”.

Federal officials told U.S. District Judge David Godbey in court filings that Texas was harming national interests determined by President Barack Obama.

“Any state could decide when they don’t like immigrants from any particular country, and then we’d have a patchwork of discriminatory laws”, said Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Right Project in San Francisco.

The state says it needs to assess whether the refugees might represent a threat, especially in the wake of the Paris massacre perpetrated by ISIS militants just three weeks ago.

November 17: Abbott directs the state Health and Human Services Commission and Department of Public Safety to implement his directive and notify nonprofit resettlement agencies.

Texas claims the US government failed to adequately consult with the state about refugee resettlement. “We have had a strong and collaborative relationship with the State for the past 40 years to the benefit of refugees and local communities”.

How many ultimately come to Texas remains to be seen.