Washington, DC (CNN) Texas will not resettle refugees in 2020, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott told the Trump administration Friday, citing a responsibility to use state resources for those already residing in Texas.

Texas is the first state to decline resettlement, as part of a new executive order that requires state and local governments to give consent to receiving refugees.

Abbott said in a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that 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."

"As a result, Texas cannot consent to initial refugee resettlement for FY 2020," Abbott wrote.

Last year, Texas resettled 2,230 refugees, taking in the largest number of refugees compared to other states, according to State Department statistics

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