Abbott: Ensure Current Refugees Pose No Safety Risk To Texans
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state law enforcement leaders to ensure that refugees in Texas don't "pose a risk to public safety."
The letter Tuesday comes a day after Abbott and other governors across the U.S. said their states would no longer accept Syrian refugees following last week's attacks in Paris. Immigration experts, however, say governors cannot legally block refugees from settling in communities.
More than 190 Syrian refugees have arrived in Texas since Jan. 1. In North Texas, there are a total of 102 Syrian refugees, according to information provided by the DFW International Community Alliance. Most of the 24 families live in Dallas. Five families live in Fort Worth. Three live in Richardson. One single man lives in Arlington.
According to the organization, Homeland Security is intensively investigating every refugee family, which has led to some delays in their arrivals. Two additional families were expected to arrive on December 4, but in light of Abbott's declaration, it's not clear if they will be allowed to join their relatives in Richardson
Abbott spokesman John Wittman said the new directive to the Texas Department of Public Safety is not tied to a specific risk.
Abbott is also appointing a Texas refugee coordinator and directed the state health department to send changes in refugee policies to federal officials.