Nation : Judge Gives Refugees Travel Right

Thousands of Central American refugees stranded in south Texas were given the right--at least temporarily--to travel to other parts of the United States by a judge’s ruling today.

The decision could touch off an exodus of refugees from the area into cities such as Miami and Los Angeles, attorneys said. U.S. District Judge Filemon Vela issued a temporary restraining order against the Immigration and Naturalization Service, prohibiting it from restricting the free movement of refugees seeking political asylum. The order is good until Thursday when a hearing on a permanent injunction will be held, Vela said.