American governor challenged in federal court over Syrian refugees

US attorneys appeared before a federal appeals court on Wednesday in an effort to defend Governor Mike Pence’s decision to bar agencies form assisting Syrian refugees to resettle in the State of Indiana, Associate press reported.

The three judges on the panel at the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago focused on the intelligence and intent behind the order, which another federal judge said was clear discrimination for the refugee program.

Judge Frank Easterbrook said, “If you are in, you play by the government’s rules”

Pence tried to withhold federal funding for any group that would help Syrian refugees find medical help, social services, and employment assistance while claiming it was “due to terrorism concerns.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana said this clearly violates both the US Constitution and the Civil Rights Act along with discrimination since the federal program cannot be limited due to nationality.