The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops called Gov. Greg Abbott's decision to reject resettlement of new refugees “deeply discouraging and disheartening.”

Abbott, who is a Catholic, on Friday said the state is already overburdened with immigrants crossing the southern border. Texas is now the only state to opt out of the federal program facilitating refugee resettlement. Forty-two other states, including 17 led by Republican governors, have said they’ll remain a part of the program.

“While the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops respects the governor, this decision is simply misguided,” the bishops’ statement says. “It denies people who are fleeing persecution, including religious persecution, from being able to bring their gifts and talents to our state and contribute to the general common good of all Texans. The refugees who have already resettled in Texas have made our communities even more vibrant.”

The bishops conference is just one of a number of religious and secular groups pressing the governor to reconsider. Those questioning the decision have pointed out that the number of refugees being resettled in the U.S. has been slashed by the White House to a record low of 18,000 in 2020. And refugees are the most stringently vetted entrants to the U.S., going through multiple interviews and security screenings in a process that can take up to three years.

For subscribers: Abbott says he won’t admit refugees, making Texas first state in nation to opt out of federal program

Abbott is calling the decision a matter of stretched state resources. In his letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Abbott wrote that since 2010, more refugees have been sent to Texas than any other state. At the same time, the governor wrote, the state has been the focus of immigrants crossing the southern border.

“The state and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless — indeed, all Texans,” Abbott wrote.

In a statement Monday, Abbott’s spokesman John Wittman defended the decision, pointing out that refugees will still be free to come here. The governor’s denial simply means that refugees who move to Texas would do so without the services that resettlement agencies provide to help them integrate.

“No one seeking refugee status in the United States will be denied that status because of the Texas decision,” the statement says. “Importantly, the decision by Texas will not prevent any refugee from coming to America. Equally important, the Texas decision doesn’t stop refugees from moving to Texas after initially settling in another state.”

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Abbott’s decision divided Republicans and Democrats in Austin. Republican Sen. Pete Flores, a retired game warden from Pleasanton who represents a district that spans from San Antonio to the U.S.-Mexico border, said Abbott has the information to make the right choice.

“I stand with Gov. Abbott on whatever position he takes that is in the interest of Texas," said Flores, who is up for re-election in 2020. “It has to do with our capacity to be able to adequately address the issue,” Flores said.

Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, who previously wrote to Abbott urging him to continue refugee resettlement efforts in the state, said she was "deeply disappointed" in his decision.

"An unprecedented amount of people are experiencing displacement in today’s world due to political and economic instability and conflict, and we should welcome them to Texas with open arms," she said in a statement. "With the strength of our economy and our people, we have ample resources to help refugees — it is our moral obligation to do so."