U.S. judge denies another Texas request to block Syrian refugees

The statements mark a softening of Pence’s stance after he was one of more than 30 governors, all but one a Republican, who sought to block the resettlement of Syrian refugees over security concerns following the deadly Paris attacks last month.

A federal judge on Wednesday rejected another request filed by the state of Texas asking for a temporary restraining order against nine Syrian refugees set to arrive in the state on Thursday.

Judge Godbey was unimpressed by the attorney general’s new plan of attack, saying that although the court recognizes the risks of terrorism, the state had failed to show “competent evidence” that the Syrian refugees slated for Texas have an intent to cause harm.

The fact that this Court is required to assess the risk posed by a group of Syrian refugees illustrates one of the problems with this case.

The state’s original lawsuit was filed last week against the federal government and the International Rescue Committee – one of about 20 private nonprofits that have a state contract to resettle refugees in Texas – after they informed the state they would move forward with Syrian refugee resettlement.

Separately, on December 2 Paxton requested a temporary restraining order to prevent a family of six refugees from being sent to North Texas. Godbey wrote, “The Court finds that the evidence before it is largely speculative and hearsay”. Citing comments by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Paxton said “evidence came to light … that terrorist organizations have infiltrated the very refugee program that is central to the dispute before this Court”.

Texas has attempted – twice – to block the refugees from entering the state, and has been rebuffed both times. Texas on Wednesday became the first to take the federal government to court, but legal experts called the lawsuit futile, saying states have no authority over resettlements.

“We can reassure all Texans that the refugees are receiving a warm and compassionate welcome from staff and volunteers”, said Aaron Rippenkroeger, president and CEO of Refugee Services of Texas.

Specifically, those state governors have expressed concerns about the vetting process for the Syrian refugees, which they fear may not be strong enough to weed out potential terrorists.

As word has spread among refugees of greater difficulty in crossing European borders, the Middle Eastern countries that were “already at the breaking point ,” according to a United Nations official, are seeing their refugee crises expand – as are the ministries providing relief.

The family of six who arrived Monday is made up of three generations, the grandparents, parents and their two young children, who now all live together in a Dallas apartment.

Helping people flee violence is an “essential part of our identity as Catholic Christians and we will continue this life-saving tradition”, the statement said, adding that the family has relatives in the area.

A group of about eight Syrian refugees is expected to arrive Thursday in Houston.

Last week, Gov. Mike Pence met privately with the archbishop of Indianapolis to request the Catholic Church not defy his directive to block Syrian refugees from settling in Indiana.