Despite the order to the contrary from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Syrian refugees will begin arriving in at least two Texas cites on Monday. The arrival follows last week’s withdrawal of a request for a restraining order by the Texas attorney general.
Twelve Syrian refugees are set to meet up with their families who already live in the Houston and Dallas areas later on Monday. An additional nine Syrians are set to arrive in Houston on Thursday, according to KHOU-CBS11 in Houston.
The twelve Syrians arriving in Texas on Monday include six children. Federal officials have stated they plan on settling 250 Syrians in Texas during the fiscal year which began October 1.
Last Friday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton withdrew his request for a restraining order that might have blocked the federal government from coming to Texas. The attorney general said, in a statement reported by Breitbart Texas on Friday, that he will continue with the lawsuit to force the federal government to provide the state with additional information about the refugees about security screenings and the refugee’s backgrounds.
President Obama’s representatives have continuously stated the states cannot stop them from delivering Syrian refugees they have admitted they cannot properly screen to the states who stand opposed on the grounds of security concerns.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has threatened to withhold state funding from any charitable organization that participates in Syrian refugee resettlement, Breitbart Texas’ Lana Shadwick reported last week.
The Texas office of the attorney general withdrew its request for a restraining order after being assured by the government that these particular refugees are not a significant threat. “As a result of our lawsuit, the Obama Administration informed us for the first time that these specific refugees pose – in their determination – the lowest-level security risk to Texans,” said Deputy Press Secretary Katherine Wise, in response to an inquiry from Breitbart Texas. “While we continue to have concerns about the federal government’s screening process, we appear to have a seat at the table for the first time, but we will continue to press the Court to ensure we can voice those concerns.”
A federal judge is expected to hear arguments in the lawsuit later this week, KHOU reported.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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