DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s refusal to accept refugees this fiscal year is on hold follow a ruling in Federal Court on Wednesday. Maryland District Judge Peter Messitte blocked a Trump Administration policy allowing local and state governments to veto where refugees settle.
The Judge said the policy doesn’t serve “overall public interest” and could be “unlawful.” According to Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, with the ruling refugee resettlement continues in Texas.
“At least temporarily we can continue to do what Texans have done forever which is be leaders in the nation in resettling refugees from war torn areas,” Judge Jenkins said.
Many non-profit groups are still urging the Governor to reconsider his refusal while the policy is tied up in court.
“We’re grateful to Judge Messitte for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the United States remains a place of welcome for the world’s most vulnerable,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. “We have been successfully collaborating with communities and federal, state, and local governments for decades, and this ruling allows us to seamlessly continue that life-saving work.”
Governor Abbott argued in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Texas is already dealing with consequences of a broken immigration system and has enough to focus on with refugees already in the state.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
Copyright 2019. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.
