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Texas Governor Shuts State to Refugees, Using New Power Granted by Trump Texas Governor Shuts State to Refugees, Using New Power Granted by Trump
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas vetoed the resettlement of refugees in his state on Friday, turning a state that has traditionally been one of the most welcoming into the first to reject refugees under an executive order issued by President Trump.WASHINGTON — Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas vetoed the resettlement of refugees in his state on Friday, turning a state that has traditionally been one of the most welcoming into the first to reject refugees under an executive order issued by President Trump.
In a letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Mr. Abbott cited the surge in migrants crossing the southwestern border last year as his reason for turning away refugees now.In a letter sent to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Mr. Abbott cited the surge in migrants crossing the southwestern border last year as his reason for turning away refugees now.
“Texas has carried more than its share in assisting the refugee resettlement process and appreciates that other states are available to help with these efforts,” Mr. Abbott said, adding that the state had resettled more refugees than any other state since the 2010 fiscal year.“Texas has carried more than its share in assisting the refugee resettlement process and appreciates that other states are available to help with these efforts,” Mr. Abbott said, adding that the state had resettled more refugees than any other state since the 2010 fiscal year.
Mr. Abbott’s veto could be reversed next week when a federal judge in Maryland is expected to rule on whether Mr. Trump exceeded his authority with the executive order that gave local governments veto power over refugee resettlement. Judge Peter J. Messitte, a Clinton nominee, pressed the federal government this week and questioned if the order was politically motivated.Mr. Abbott’s veto could be reversed next week when a federal judge in Maryland is expected to rule on whether Mr. Trump exceeded his authority with the executive order that gave local governments veto power over refugee resettlement. Judge Peter J. Messitte, a Clinton nominee, pressed the federal government this week and questioned if the order was politically motivated.
Refugee resettlement organizations had grown anxious about what Mr. Abbott would decide after Mr. Trump signed his executive order in September requiring state and local governments to provide written consent for refugees to be accepted in communities.Refugee resettlement organizations had grown anxious about what Mr. Abbott would decide after Mr. Trump signed his executive order in September requiring state and local governments to provide written consent for refugees to be accepted in communities.
Under Mr. Abbott’s leadership, Texas sued the Obama administration in 2015 to stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees, accusing the federal government of failing to consult with state officials. Mr. Abbott also cited security concerns and said people with ties to terrorist groups were exploiting the refugee program. That lawsuit proved unsuccessful in the courts.Under Mr. Abbott’s leadership, Texas sued the Obama administration in 2015 to stop the resettlement of Syrian refugees, accusing the federal government of failing to consult with state officials. Mr. Abbott also cited security concerns and said people with ties to terrorist groups were exploiting the refugee program. That lawsuit proved unsuccessful in the courts.
With Friday’s letter, Mr. Abbott became the first known governor to issue a veto on refugee resettlement under Mr. Trump’s order. Mr. Abbott’s rejection came even as leaders of major Texas cities, including San Antonio and Dallas, sent the federal government letters supporting the resettlement of refugees in their communities.With Friday’s letter, Mr. Abbott became the first known governor to issue a veto on refugee resettlement under Mr. Trump’s order. Mr. Abbott’s rejection came even as leaders of major Texas cities, including San Antonio and Dallas, sent the federal government letters supporting the resettlement of refugees in their communities.
“Regardless of where someone is from, who they are or what they believe, there is a home for them in Houston,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. “Our welcoming spirit has led to our city becoming the national leader in refugee resettlement.”“Regardless of where someone is from, who they are or what they believe, there is a home for them in Houston,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. “Our welcoming spirit has led to our city becoming the national leader in refugee resettlement.”
The Trump administration cut the refugee program in the fall to 18,000, down from a cap of 30,000. That resulted in the cancellation of flights carrying refugees who had already passed security clearances, and left family members questioning if they would ever be reunited with loved ones.The Trump administration cut the refugee program in the fall to 18,000, down from a cap of 30,000. That resulted in the cancellation of flights carrying refugees who had already passed security clearances, and left family members questioning if they would ever be reunited with loved ones.
President Barack Obama set the refugee cap at 110,000 in 2016, his final year in office.President Barack Obama set the refugee cap at 110,000 in 2016, his final year in office.
Resettlement agencies have until Jan. 21 to submit to the administration their funding proposals, with the consenting letters from state and local governments.Resettlement agencies have until Jan. 21 to submit to the administration their funding proposals, with the consenting letters from state and local governments.
Mr. Trump has made the restriction of both legal and illegal immigration a central mission of his first term. In addition to cutting the number of refugees allowed into the country, he has also restricted the ability of those who approach the southwestern border to obtain asylum. The administration is also considering adding additional countries to Mr. Trump’s travel ban, according to three people familiar with the discussions.Mr. Trump has made the restriction of both legal and illegal immigration a central mission of his first term. In addition to cutting the number of refugees allowed into the country, he has also restricted the ability of those who approach the southwestern border to obtain asylum. The administration is also considering adding additional countries to Mr. Trump’s travel ban, according to three people familiar with the discussions.
Mr. Abbott’s refusal of refugees could have far-reaching effects. More than 16,700 refugees resettled in Texas from October 2015 to September 2019, more than any other state, according to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a resettlement agency.Mr. Abbott’s refusal of refugees could have far-reaching effects. More than 16,700 refugees resettled in Texas from October 2015 to September 2019, more than any other state, according to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a resettlement agency.
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the chief executive of that agency, said Mr. Abbott’s decision would jeopardize the safety of families around the world.Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the chief executive of that agency, said Mr. Abbott’s decision would jeopardize the safety of families around the world.
“Nearly 2,500 refugees started to rebuild their lives in Texas last year, many of whom have additional family members in harm’s way seeking to join them in safety,” Ms. Vignarajah said in a statement. “These families have been torn apart by violence, war and persecution — but we never thought they would be needlessly separated by a U.S. state official.”“Nearly 2,500 refugees started to rebuild their lives in Texas last year, many of whom have additional family members in harm’s way seeking to join them in safety,” Ms. Vignarajah said in a statement. “These families have been torn apart by violence, war and persecution — but we never thought they would be needlessly separated by a U.S. state official.”
Many communities have said they would open their doors to refugees, including 42 states and at least 90 local governments, according to a spokesman for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which has been tracking the number of letters consenting to refugee resettlement. Mr. Abbott issued the fourth refugee rejection under the executive order. Leaders in Appomattox County, Va., and Beltrami County, Minn., also rejected refugees, although neither counties is a destination point for refugees, according to Ms. Vignarajah. Many communities have said they would open their doors to refugees, including 42 states and at least 90 local governments, according to a spokesman for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which has been tracking the number of letters consenting to refugee resettlement. Mr. Abbott issued the fourth refugee rejection under the executive order. Leaders in Appomattox County, Va., and Beltrami County, Minn., also rejected refugees, although neither county is a destination point for refugees, according to Ms. Vignarajah.
The mayor of Springfield, Mass., which has a sizable refugee population, also said he will reject refugees. “It’s time for other much more affluent communities to take on their fair share,” Mayor Domenic Sarno told The Republican newspaper, saying that “Springfield is at capacity.”The mayor of Springfield, Mass., which has a sizable refugee population, also said he will reject refugees. “It’s time for other much more affluent communities to take on their fair share,” Mayor Domenic Sarno told The Republican newspaper, saying that “Springfield is at capacity.”
Mr. Trump has already signaled that he will target refugees in the lead-up to the presidential election. At a campaign rally in October, he told an almost entirely white crowd in Minneapolis that he would give local communities greater comment in refugee policy, noting that previous “leaders in Washington brought large numbers of refugees to your state from Somalia.”Mr. Trump has already signaled that he will target refugees in the lead-up to the presidential election. At a campaign rally in October, he told an almost entirely white crowd in Minneapolis that he would give local communities greater comment in refugee policy, noting that previous “leaders in Washington brought large numbers of refugees to your state from Somalia.”
Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, the acting director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in an interview in October that the order would ensure local and state governments were “accountable for their decisions.”Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, the acting director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in an interview in October that the order would ensure local and state governments were “accountable for their decisions.”
“It’s to put real teeth in it on the state and locality side,” Mr. Cuccinelli said. “It has to be transparent at that point. But they also have a say, they can say no if they choose, too."“It’s to put real teeth in it on the state and locality side,” Mr. Cuccinelli said. “It has to be transparent at that point. But they also have a say, they can say no if they choose, too."
The administration also cited the increase in border crossings when officials cut the refugee cap. But critics of Mr. Trump point out that the backlog in the immigration courts is largely the result of cases in which requests by the asylum seekers need to be evaluated. Most refugees who arrive in the United States have already been screened and vetted before they arrive.The administration also cited the increase in border crossings when officials cut the refugee cap. But critics of Mr. Trump point out that the backlog in the immigration courts is largely the result of cases in which requests by the asylum seekers need to be evaluated. Most refugees who arrive in the United States have already been screened and vetted before they arrive.
Mr. Abbott said in his letter that refugees would be able to come to Texas after first resettling in another state. But refugee organizations have expressed concern that each veto could affect the federal funding dedicated for resettlement in states. Leaders of the organizations have said that rejecting refugees will only hurt local economies.Mr. Abbott said in his letter that refugees would be able to come to Texas after first resettling in another state. But refugee organizations have expressed concern that each veto could affect the federal funding dedicated for resettlement in states. Leaders of the organizations have said that rejecting refugees will only hurt local economies.
“In addition to making refugees’ lives harder, Texas now forfeits the opportunity for a growing business community that depends on refugees,” said Jennifer Sime, the senior vice president of resettlement, asylum and integration at the International Rescue Committee. “It forfeits the cultural contributions, the growth, and ingenuity the state has come to enjoy through resettling refugees.”“In addition to making refugees’ lives harder, Texas now forfeits the opportunity for a growing business community that depends on refugees,” said Jennifer Sime, the senior vice president of resettlement, asylum and integration at the International Rescue Committee. “It forfeits the cultural contributions, the growth, and ingenuity the state has come to enjoy through resettling refugees.”
Maggie Haberman contributed reporting from New York and Michael D. Shear from Washington.Maggie Haberman contributed reporting from New York and Michael D. Shear from Washington.