Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has opted out of a federal program that resettles refugees in the United States.
Abbott sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday announcing the withdrawal of Texas from the program, in a letter released Friday.
In the letter, Abbott noted that Texas has resettled more refugees than any other state since 2010. One of every 10 refugees in the U.S. were placed in Texas.
“In addition to accepting refugees all these years, Texas has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system,” Abbott said. “At this time, the state and nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless — indeed, all Texans.”
“Texas has carried more than its share in assisting the refugee resettlement process and appreciates that other states are available to help with these efforts,” Abbott concluded.
President Trump issued an executive order last year changing the rules of the federal government’s refugee resettlement program. Governors must affirm they wish to participate in the program before they will receive refugees.
Abbott, a Republican, is the first governor to opt out of the program, while 18 other Republicans have opted in.
