Syrian refugees resettled in resistant Texas, Indiana

Archdiocese said they would settle the Syrian refugee family of four, but its spokesman Greg Otolski noted it may not happen if IN is perceived to be hostile or unwelcoming.

McCaul said the National Counterterrorism Center told him they have identified individuals with ties to terrorist groups in Syria attempting to gain entry into the United States through the refugee program.

“They seem very happy”, Carrigan said, noting that they were put up in an apartment with basic furniture and a stocked refrigerator. Volunteers have collected toiletries and household items for the newcomers, including a bike for each of the children in the family. The family is now living in a Dallas apartment complex where there are other immigrants and refugees who speak Arabic who were waiting to greet the family with fresh food and household goods, two immigrants said last night.

Aid workers and two Jordanian relief officials attributed the sudden rise in refugees at the border to Russian bombing of Daesh-controlled areas in eastern Homs, such as Palmyra, as well as in Raqqa province and city, according to Reuters. Abbott told the Houston Chronicle after Paxton’s announcement that he still opposed accepting any Syrian refugees because “the vetting process and procedures are inadequate”.

Gov. Greg Abbott joined with Sen.

Despite these facts, the Administration continues to ignore calls from governors of both parties, as well as a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House, to pause and strengthen the program.

Lloyd says the governor still believes the screening of Syrian refugees must be improved before IN agencies will assist with resettlements.

On Tuesday, seated next to Cruz in a U.S. Capitol conference room, the governor insisted that the state should have the ability to opt out of refugee resettlement – an authority contained in a bill Cruz is filing today.

Texas has led the nation in recent years in the resettlement of refugees, surpassing California.

The American Civil Liberties Union on November 24 sued Pence in federal court over his refusal to allow refugees fleeing Syria’s civil war to resettle in the state, saying his position violates federal authority and the U.S. Constitution.

Texas took in almost 250 Syrians before the Paris attacks.

After the IRC response, with no injunction forthcoming, and the Syrian family on the way, the Texas attorney general withdrew the state’s request for a temporary restraining order, although not the lawsuit itself. Also, it prohibits the resettlement of a refugee in a state if the governor certifies that the federal government has failed to provide adequate assurance that the refugee does not present a security risk to the state. A hearing on the matter is expected to be held next week, but in the meantime, one beleaguered Syrian family finally has a place to call home. It would send a demoralizing and risky message to the world that the United States makes judgments about people based on the country they come from and their religion.