Alabama officials entered the legal fray over the resettlement of refugees in the U.S., suing the federal government over claims that the Obama administration has failed to consult with the state over its resettlement plans.
Alleging that the Obama administration is not complying with the requirement under the Refugee Act of 1980 that the federal government consult with states on resettlements, three Alabama state officials are seeking a court order that the administration "may not place refugees within the State of Alabama unless and until they have fulfilled those consultation duties and obligations to the State of Alabama."
Concerns about the resettlement of Syrian refugees — and, as the discussions continued, broader concerns about the refugee resettlement process in general — were raised by more than half of the nation's governors in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris that left more than 100 people dead.
"Regarding security, Alabama shares the concerns of the intelligence community – including those of the Nation’s highest ranking intelligence officials – that sufficient information is lacking to ensure that certain refugees – including those from Syria – have neither provided material support to terrorists nor are terrorists themselves," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit is filed by private attorneys and Gov. Robert Bentley's chief legal adviser on behalf of the state of Alabama; Alabama Medicaid Agency Commissioner Stephanie McGee Azar; Acting State Health Officer Thomas M. Miller, M.D.; and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier.
"The Refugee Act of 1980 requires that the federal government 'shall consult regularly (not less often than quarterly) with State and local governments and private nonprofit voluntary agencies concerning the sponsorship process and the intended distribution of refugees among the States and localities before their placement in those States and localities,'" according to the lawsuit.
Texas previously filed a similar lawsuit, and federal officials have maintained that they have provided sufficient consultation under the law.
Gov. Bentley tweeted about the lawsuit:
The process & manner the Obama Administration & the Fed Gov't are executing the Refugee Reception Program is blatantly excluding states.
My top concern is the safety for the people of AL & making sure an outdated, archaic & dangerous process that excludes states is eliminated.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's spokesperson has not responded to multiple requests for comment on the lawsuit, and Strange has not issued a news release or mentioned the lawsuit on Twitter.
This is a developing story.
From the lawsuit:
