Texas backtracks on attempt to block Syrian refugee resettlement

The federal government slammed the Texas government’s lawsuit, calling it “frivolous”, adding that immigration is a federal responsibility over which state governments have no authority, CBSDFW reports.

“I think that it’s the first sign that Texas is beginning to see the light”, said Cecillia Wang of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is defending a resettlement group that Texas also sued. The International Rescue Committee in Dallas was asked by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to comply by a Tuesday, Dec. 1 deadline. Details about the refugees were closely guarded by resettlement organizers over safety concerns.

The swift reversal diffused a standoff Texas started after becoming the first state to sue the US government in efforts to turn away Syrians following the terrorist attacks in Paris.Olivas says the state was also violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as its own constitution, in attempting to single out one nationality for exclusion: “The state of Texas Bill of Rights says that it may not discriminate on the basis of national origin and yet the governor is invoking law to keep out Syrians”. Attorney General Ken Paxton withdrew his request for a temporary restraining order.

Despite dropping the state’s legal measures, Paxton said he “will continue legal proceedings to ensure we get the information necessary to adequately protect the safety of Texas residents”.

Despite all the hubbub, the actual number of Syrian refugees resettling in Texas is incredibly low-and most are children. The implicit claim was the organization wasn’t providing enough information to the state.