Ken Paxton
AUSTIN – Leading a coalition of 13 states, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit supporting President Trump’s revised executive order on immigration. The revised order concerns the national refugee program and calls for a temporary pause on entering this country for nationals from six countries of national-security concern.
In the friend-of-the-court brief, Attorney General Paxton, 11 other state attorneys general and the governor of Mississippi demonstrate that the president’s new immigration order is a lawful exercise of statutorily authorized executive power over foreign affairs and national security. Last month, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a ruling that blocked the original order.
“Rather than leaving national security in limbo while litigation dragged on, President Trump issued a revised immigration order that addresses the 9th Circuit’s concerns and is a vital step in securing our borders,” Attorney General Paxton said. “It is imperative we find a way to better screen refugee applicants to maintain national security. The president is fulfilling his solemn duty to protect Texans and all Americans.”
Texas is joined in the amicus brief by Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.
To view the amicus brief, click here.