Texas drops request for emergency order to block Syrian refugees

Texas drops request for emergency order to block Syrian refugees

By Brian M. Rosenthal Updated 5:04 pm, Friday, December 4, 2015


AUSTIN -- Texas officials have withdrawn their request for an emergency order blocking a group of Syrian refugees from entering the state and instead are seeking a broader hearing next week on how closely the federal government coordinates with the state on refugee resettlement.

The move almost certainly will allow two Syrian refugees families scheduled to enter the state Monday to arrive and could signal that the state may not stand in the way of future placements.

Attorney General Ken Paxton made the move in a two-sentence court filing Friday, the same day that federal judge David Godbey had been expected to rule on the emergency order request.

In a statement, Paxton explained he had withdrawn the request for an emergency order because federal officials had provided additional information on the refugees that the state had requested. A spokeswoman said he had only received basic information, however.

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http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Texas-withdraws-request-for-emergency-order-6675771.php