A federal judge threw cold water on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent rejection of additional refugees.
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte of Maryland, a Clinton appointee, ruled to temporarily halt an executive order by President Donald Trump that allowed states to opt out of the federal refugee resettlement program.
Last week, Abbott became the first governor in the nation to avail himself of the opportunity, writing in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that “Texas has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system.”
“Texas has carried more than its share in assisting the refugee resettlement process,” he added.
In his order, however, Judge Messitte claimed the executive order “does not appear to serve the overall public interest” and placed a preliminary injunction on the executive order.
Since 2010, more refugees have been received in Texas than in any other state.
