Texas Drops Plans to Fight Syrian Resettlement

Hoffman is skeptical about Texas’ chances to win the case because the courts have repeatedly ruled that immigration policy is handled by the federal government, not the states.

One Syrian family, which includes two children ages 3 and 6 and their grandparents, were expected to arrive in Dallas on Monday.

She said her nonprofit shared with Texas officials a day before the Paris attacks a spreadsheet that listed a proposed number of 200 to 250 Syrians refugees expected this fiscal year. Championed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas had even ordered non-profit organizations that work with refugees to stop helping those from Syria.

The White House says states don’t have the legal authority to block refugee placement. Within a few days, governors in 30 other states made similar declarations.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton contends the federal government and the non profit groups in charge of bringing the refugees are not providing enough information about them.

November 19: The health commission sends letters directing refugee agencies to cease plans for resettling Syrian refugees in Texas. He still wants assurances that the Obama administration will work with the state on refugee resettlement. State officials warned the International Rescue Committee that failure to comply could result in being terminated from the state’s resettlement program.

Paxton, however, isn’t entirely dropping the lawsuit.

The state of Texas Friday dropped its legal challenges to the US State Department and the International Rescue Committee over the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state. Abbott stands by earlier statements that it would be irresponsible to accept Syrian refugees.