Gov. Pence Faces Refugee Lawsuit

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is being sued over his decision to block Syrian refugees from resettling in the state.

The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/… ) reports the lawsuit was filed Monday night by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of Indianapolis-based nonprofit Exodus Refugee Immigration. It accuses Pence of violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by accepting refugees from other countries but not those from Syria.

The lawsuit comes about a week after Pence objected to plans for refugees to arrive in Indiana following the deadly attacks in Paris. A family that fled war-torn Syria was diverted from Indianapolis to Connecticut on Nov. 18 when Pence ordered state agencies to halt resettlement activities.

An official from Pence's office didn't return the newspaper's request for comment late Monday.

(KA)