A federal judge ruled that the state of Indiana cannot block Syrian refugees from resettling in the state under an order from then Gov. Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election MORE (R).

In November 2015, Pence was part of a group of 16 governors who announced plans to block Syrian refugees from settling in their states in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris. All but one of the governors were Republicans.

The Indiana policy prevented state agencies from making payments to a nonprofit that helped resettle Syrian refugees.

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U.S. District Judge Tonya Walton Pratt on Tuesday ruled that Indiana could no longer withhold authorized payments to the Exodus Refugee Immigration group, according to The Associated Press.

Pratt had temporarily blocked Pence's order in February 2016, in response to an ACLU lawsuit. The ACLU argued the order illegally targeted refugees based on their nationality.

A federal appeals court upheld Pratt's block on the policy in an October 2016 ruling, saying Pence’s policy was discriminatory.

Alyssa Farah, Pence’s press secretary, said in a statement that “it makes sense” that the state would now changes its policies under President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE.

“When the now-Vice President was serving as governor he directed all state agencies to stop resettling Syrian refugees in Indiana until the federal government could provide credible assurances that ‘proper security measures are in place.’ Now, under President Trump’s leadership, proper security measures are being implemented — it makes sense that Indiana would settle,” Farah said.

—Updated at 5:43 p.m.