AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott pushed back late Wednesday on the conventional wisdom that he does not have the authority to block Syrian refugees from entering Texas, using a FOX News interview to cite

a specific law for the first time.

The Republican governor told host Sean Hannity that the authority is included as part of Section 8-1522 of the United States Code.

Specifically, he pointed to a provision that says activities by local refugee resettlement agencies "should be conducted in close cooperation and advance consultation with State and local governments."

"The money that flows from the federal government to these agencies goes through the state, and these agencies have to, quote, cooperate with the states," Abbott said.

"Because I am saying that we are not going to allow these refugees in the State of Texas, that means that we as a state are going to be able to cut this off. and that is pursuant to federal law."

Abbott's thinking runs counter to the position of many federal immigration officials and experts, who have noted that refugee resettlement is organized by the federal government, which, they said, can choose

to place refugees directly with local resettlement agencies that are not bound by the wishes of governors.

More than 30 governors, almost all of whom are Republicans, have announced a desire to block Syrian refugees in the days since terrorists thought to have ties to the Syria-based Islamic State killed at least

129 people in Paris last Friday night.

President Obama, a Democrat, has stood firm by his plan to allow at least 10,000 refugees into the country, insisting that security protocols are adequate and that turning people away would be un-American.

Abbott cites specific law that he says allows him to block refugees - Houston Chronicle