Texas has withdrawn a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), according to the State Attorney General’s Office, after the federal government provided additional information about Syrian refugees who are to resettle here.
The TRO sought to stop six Syrian refugees from coming to Dallas. The family could arrive as early as Monday and includes two children under the age of 6.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a press release that the added information was provided as a result of the state filing a lawsuit Wednesday against the federal government and a nonprofit agency that resettles refugees.
In the suit, filed on the behalf of the Texas Health and Human Service Commission, the state also seeks an injunction requiring that the federal government consult with Texas before resettling new refugees.
"Texas shouldn't have to go to court to require Washington to comply with federal law regarding its duties to consult with Texas in advance,” Paxton said in the release. “Our state will continue legal proceedings to ensure we get the information necessary to adequately protect the safety of Texas residents.”
Texas backed down after the Obama administration and the ACLU civil rights organization filed court papers challenging the lawsuit. Both said the state had no authority to stop the refugees from coming.
Paxton went on to say that the state remains concerned about the overall refugee vetting process and that Texas must have a “seat at the table” that is required by the Refugee Act (of 1980). He still wants assurances that the Obama administration will work with the state on refugee resettlement.
Nonprofit groups that work to resettle refugees found themselves locked between the federal government directing them to place refugees without disclosing basic information, and Texas, which was requesting even more information to ease security concerns.
Another Syrian family, which includes four children under the age of 13, is scheduled to resettle in Houston on Monday.
