Family of 6 Syrian Refugees Arrive in Texas

While nonprofit organizations handle the resettlement, the state receives money from the federal government for employment training, English language classes, and case management services for refugees.

“In my capacity as governor, I will continue to do everything that I can to ensure that refugees from Syria who could pose a danger to the people of the State of Texas will not be allowed to relocate into the State of Texas”, Abbott said.

Security concerns about the refugees were raised by Abbott and many other governors, mostly Republicans, after the November 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 persons. “For 40 years of time the archdiocese’s Refugee and Immigrant Services has welcomed people fleeing violence in various regions of the world”. “The defendants have not disclosed any details regarding placing Syrian refugees in Texas beyond December 31, 2015”, the Texas filing said.

Resettlement agencies and volunteer groups assisting Syrian refugees are continuing their work even in states where officials have said those refugees aren’t welcome.

The International Rescue Committee settled a family of six in Dallas.

Paxton said in a statement on Friday that he had withdrawn the petition because the Obama administration provided more information on the first group of Syrian refugees set for resettlement.

About 120,000 refugees are resettled worldwide each year, including to the United States, the largest recipient under the UNHCR’s program, according to the agency. Refugees already face rigorous vetting by the state department, which Cruz argues failed to flag the female shooter in San Bernardino, who came from Pakistan through a fiance visa program.

Pence disagrees with the archbishop’s decision.

Texas’ fight with the federal government over Syrian refugees is unfolding against the backdrop of a presidential race in which Cruz has positioned himself as a fierce opponent of their resettlement in the U.S. Cruz is also pushing legislation that would immediately place a three-year moratorium on the U.S. accepting refugees from terrorist strongholds, including Iraq and Syria. “And it was nearly like breathing a sigh of relief that they have arrived”.

Pence said Tuesday that he still supports a ban on Syrian refugees, but that he won’t try to deny Medicaid, food stamps or other social services to Syrians who arrive in Indiana. Ted Cruz announced on Tuesday he will propose a bill that allows Texas Governor Greg Abbott or any governor to ban Syrian refugees from entering their state. She described the family as relieved and eager to start a new life in the United States.

There are more than 4.1 million Syrian refugees in nearby countries, majority in Turkey and Lebanon.

“We are pleased that the court refused to let the state of Texas interfere with humanitarian aid to people fleeing war and violence”, Robertson said in a statement.

But a spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment last week on Pence’s action “or any action by specific governors to prevent Syrian refugee resettlement”.