AUSTIN, Texas – Texas is dropping immediate efforts to block the arrival of Syrian refugees who are scheduled to resettle in the state next week.
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday withdrew a request for a temporary restraining order that 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. The family plans to join other family members who have been in north Texas for ten months. Syrian refugee, Faez Al Sharaa said, of Syria, “Overall, there was no security. At any moment, at any given time, you can be killed."
Groups are helping the families settle in Texas. Anne Marie Weiss-Armush of the International Community Alliance said, "I believe by the way it’s being handled that this is a test, and eyes of people all over the country will be on Dallas."
Paxton, however, isn't entirely dropping the lawsuit. He still wants assurances that the Obama administration will work with the state on refugee resettlement.
Rep. Gene Green of the 29th Congressional District said, "States don't control their borders with other states. If families come from New York we can't stop them from coming to Texas."
Another Syrian family, which includes four children under the age of 13, is scheduled to resettle in Houston on Monday.
Texas backed down after the Obama administration and the ACLU filed court papers challenging the lawsuit. Both said the state had no authority to stop the refugees from coming.