Texas Admits That It Doesn't Have the Power To Turn Away Syrian Refugees, After All
After announcing from the hilltops that it will not, under any circumstances, no-way-buster, allow any more Syrian refugees to enter its state borders, a closer read of the law found that Texas actually can’t legally do that.
According to The Associated Press, the state withdrew a request asking for the temporary ban on the resettlement of refugees from Syria on Friday, putting an end to a lawsuit brought over the issue.
Texas was one of 29 other states whose governors have said that they will try to block refugees from entering—a move which the Obama administration has repeatedly said is not within their authority. Championed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas had even ordered non-profit organizations that work with refugees to stop helping those from Syria.
Texas, true to form, has said it won’t back down, though. The state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, said in a statement:
“Our state 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. Next week, 21 Syrian refugees, most 13 years old or younger, are expected to resettle in Dallas and Houston.
