Judge weighs bid to block Indiana's Syrian refugee order

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A federal judge says she expects to rule by the end of February on a refugee relocation group's bid to block Gov. Mike Pence's order barring state agencies from participating in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Indiana.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt heard arguments Friday in Exodus Refugee Immigration's request for a temporary injunction blocking Pence's order.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana sued Pence in November on behalf of the nonprofit group, arguing his directive would irreparably harm Exodus by withholding vital funding.

ACLU of Indiana legal director Ken Falk told Pratt that Pence's order is harming Exodus' basic mission of helping refugees.

State Solicitor General Thomas Fisher told the court Pence acted to protect Indiana residents' safety following the deadly Paris terrorist attacks.