Texas pulls out of federal refugee resettlement program

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has formally stopped helping the U.S. government provide aid and services to refugees, citing alleged security concerns.

Gov. Greg Abbott said last week that Texas would withdraw from the federally funded refugee resettlement program unless the state’s demands for stricter refugee vetting were met.

Abbott said Friday that federal authorities didn’t meet those demands, and announced Texas’ withdrawal. Kansas and New Jersey already had withdrawn.

That means Texas will stop facilitating refugee services and benefits covered by federal funding, but it won’t stop refugees from coming.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Friday it regrets Texas’ decision but “refugees will continue to be resettled in Texas” after “extensive screenings” by federal authorities.

The White House wants the U.S. to accept 110,000 international refugees next year.