Abbott's Refugee Policy Has Some Fearing Racial Profiling
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AUSTIN (KRLD-AM) - Governor Greg Abbott's latest directive to state agencies not to comply with the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program is drawing both questions and criticism.
In Abbott's recent letter to state agency heads he specifically advises DPS Director Steve McCraw to ensure any refugees already in this state do not pose a risk to public safety.
When asked if he understood what the Governor was asking for McCraw said, "I'm quite certain what he's asked us to do…and quite certain that we will be able to fulfill his requirement's, but as for the how, why and when and where, we're not going to discuss that publicly."
The secrecy has led some to believe this is a call for racial profiling of people of middle-eastern descent.
Terri Burke of the Texas American Civil Liberties Union says racial profiling never works.
"They should focus on credible threats. Use law enforcement wisely instead of some random, misdirected, undirected effort to run around and check out refugees."
Abbott has also appointed a new State Refugee Coordinator to help focus his new policy.
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