Officials in Texas have filed a lawsuit against the federal government and a non-profit organization that works with refugees call theInternational Rescue Committee, in an effort to prevent Syrians fleeing violence from resettling in their state. The suit is aimed at blocking two families from the war-ravaged nation from moving to Texas. According to claims made by the state’s Attorney General, the government and the IRC did not adequately consult with officials in the state.
The state’s AG said in a statement, “The point of this lawsuit is not about specific refugees, it is about protecting Texans by ensuring that the federal government fulfills its obligation to properly vet the refugees and cooperate and consult with the state.” The IRC however, clarified that the two families have been the targets of violence themselves, “Refugees are victims of terror, not terrorists, and the families we help have always been welcomed by the people of Texas. The IRC acts within the spirit and letter of the law, and we are hopeful that this matter resolved soon.” The resettling of 10,000 refugees from Syria in the U.S. has been controversial, despite an extensive vetting process that only selects families who are among the most vulnerable.
