AUSTIN — Texas moved to dismiss its appeal today in a lawsuit that sought to block the federal government and a nonprofit relief organization from resettling Syrian refugees in the state. Courts have repeatedly ruled against anti-resettlement efforts in Texas, Alabama and Indiana. Lawyers associated with the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, the National Immigration Law Center, Southern Poverty Law Center and Susman Godfrey LLP are representing the International Rescue Committee in the case.
The Texas attorney general’s decision comes days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled, in another case litigated by the ACLU, that a similar policy by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence violated the Equal Protection Clause.
Rebecca L. Robertson, legal and policy director for the ACLU of Texas, offered this statement:
“Apparently, Texas saw the writing on the wall. Federal courts have unanimously rejected bids by some states to discriminate based on a refugee’s nationality as contrary to the Equal Protection Clause. We call upon Texas to stop its pursuit of anti-refugee policies that are not only illegal, but contrary to fundamental American values of welcoming people regardless of nationality, race or religion and providing safe haven for families fleeing violence and war.”
