On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that his state would not be accepting any refugees in the coming fiscal year. He is the first governor to take such a position, under the terms of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in September that requires state and local jurisdictions to consent to refugee resettlement programs. In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Abbott wrote, “At this time, the state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless — indeed, all Texans.”
Gov. Abbott's position rests on flawed partisan reasoning. It overlooks the contributions of refugees to Texas communities and the state economy. This is a purely political decision, driven by Abbott's loyalty to the president, rather than by what Texans want.
Read Full Article »