Paxton files brief defending Trump’s immigration order,
Attorney general files friend-of-the-court brief with appellate judges.
Reaffirming his support for President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals defending Trump’s revised immigration order.
The revised order — blocked from enforcement as it is being challenged in federal court — provides for a temporary suspension of entry into the U.S. for refugees from six countries of national security concern while the vetting process is reviewed. Paxton’s brief was on behalf of a 15-state coalition.
The order is “constitutional” and “lawful,” Paxton said.
“A temporary pause in the national refugee program will give the government time to review and determine how we can improve the screening process for foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. from six countries designated as ‘countries of concern,’” he said in a statement. “President Trump’s revised immigration order is necessary to protect the homeland from those who wish us harm.”
The other states joining Texas are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Vir- ginia.
Critics say Tr u mp’s order amounts to an unconstitutional ban on Muslims, is unfeeling toward refugees and will do nothing to make the U.S. safer.
U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson of Hawaii temporarily blocked Trump’s revised travel ban and extended the hold on the ban late last month. Hawaii officials argued that the policy discriminates against Muslims and would limit tourism to the state.
In February, Texas was the first state throw its weight behind Trump’s initial travel ban when Paxton filed a brief of support with the same federal court. A three-judge panel with the 9th Circuit blocked that ban, arguing that Justice Department lawyers presented no evidence that anyone from the countries on the banned country list was responsible for a terrorist attack in the United States and that the judges didn’t see “an urgent need” for the ban’s reinstatement.
Texas officials have unsuccessfully fought entry of Syrian refugees into Texas since shortly after the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks.