Exodus and other organizations have continued to resettle Syrian refugees, though the state has sought to withhold funds earmarked for resettlements.
The Government, supported by UN agencies, continues to resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs), which is putting an extra burden on already stretched basic social services in villages of return.
Nonetheless, other Iraqis continue to be resettled under the Gateway Protection Programme and between 2004 and 2012, a total of 1,116 Iraqis were resettled as part of the programme — more than any other nationality.
Now, Texas has resorted to withdrawal from the federal resettlement program but the same number of refugees will continue to be resettled in Texas, according to Victoria Palmer, public affairs specialist for the US Department of Health and Human Services Administrationn for Children and Families.
"Syrian Christians should continue to be resettled in the United States.
"Vulnerable individuals from a host of religions, ethnicities and backgrounds have been and should continue to be resettled in the United States," the religious leaders wrote.
Melanie Nezer, vice president of global refugee advocacy group HIAS, said the ruling should mean that refugees can continue to be resettled in the United States, beyond a cap of 50,000 set by the executive order.
Although I do not dispute the wisdom of these sentiments, I think the tide of public opinion will inevitably continue to shift and resettle today as we struggle to know whether we should be toasting our efforts or sobbing into our pints.
"I would like to ask that the administration review the status of the 86 detainees who were cleared for transfer in the past and let me know if there are suitable places to continue to hold or resettle these detainees either in their home countries or third countries".
A humanitarian group has vowed that it will "absolutely" continue to help Syrian refugees resettle in Texas, defying a written notice from a state official last week that threatened legal action amid a nationwide backlash against Syrians who have fled the bloody conflict in their homeland.
