A federal judge on Wednesday rejected another request filed by the state of Texas asking for a temporary restraining order against nine Syrian refugees set to arrive in the state on Thursday.
The state on Wednesday sought to block refugees from Syria who will arrive on Thursday, claiming that the federal government did not properly consult with the state on the refugees’ arrival. In its brief, the state writes that the arrival of refugees poses a “substantial threat” to the state, arguing that the vetting process for refugees has significant gaps and terrorists will try to enter the U.S. through the refugee program.
In his order denying the state’s application, U.S. District Judge David Godbey wrote that the evidence presented by Texas was “largely speculative hearsay.”
The state of Texas last week filed a lawsuit against the federal government and nonprofit group International Rescue Committee in an attempt to block a Syrian refugee family that arrived on Monday. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission argued in the lawsuit that neither the federal government nor the IRC provided state officials with enough information about the refugees set to land in the state.
Before the family arrived, the state on Friday withdrew its temporary restraining order against that family but continues to pursue the case in court.
In a Wednesday statement supporting the state’s second attempt to block Syrian refugees from the state, Gov. Greg Abbott said he was concerned about the process to screen refugees.
“In light of alarming comments made by the House Homeland Security Committee Chairman and testimony by the Deputy Director of Homeland Security at the Texas Department of Public Safety, it is essential that a judge consider halting the Syrian refugee process – at least on a temporary basis – to ensure refugees coming to the United States will be vetted in a way that does not compromise the safety of Americans and Texans,” Abbott said in the statement.
A family of eight Syrian refugees will arrive in Houston on Thursday, as well as a 26-year-old Syrian woman joining her mother in the area, according to a brief filed last week by the Department of Justice.
Good !
Welcome. As you settle in and learn about your new home, you should know that in Texas it is customary to honor the most stupid people by electing them to political offices.
OhMyGawd! That picture – it’s perfect!!
I don’t know if 1/2 of America even knows what country the are in. It is almost as if all the “originalists” have not studied the origin history nor the origin document and laws of the country.
But hey I guess it’s the ultimate victory when you can manipulate your base to basically believe whatever suits your need. It’s 1984 except completely the voluntary version chosen by the people, not enforced by a government. Which actually is much more horrific than the original story.
The judiciary should realize by now that Teabaggers only use the Courts to try to delay the inevitable. They are not particularly interested in justice; just in getting their own way. When you have rulings against them THIS prompt, here’s what happens:
Bang that gavel, judge.