AUSTIN - Three Syrian refugee families have arrived in New York City after Texas sued to try to stop their resettlement there.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday New York "will welcome them with open arms" during what's expected to be a temporary stay, until the outcome of the Texas lawsuit.

Texas this week asked a federal court to block the arrival of Syrian refugees, citing concerns about whether new arrivals are sufficiently screened for security.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday withdrew a request for a temporary restraining order that sought to stop six Syrian refugees from coming to Dallas, but Paxton isn't entirely dropping the suit.

The Obama administration says that refugee vetting is thorough and that states lack legal authority to block refugee placement