Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is taking legal action against the El Paso migrant aid organization Annunciation House, accusing them of shielding illegal immigrants from law enforcement. Paxton claims to have evidence of criminal conduct by the organization and has requested a temporary injunction to stop them from allegedly assisting illegal migrants. He initially sued Annunciation House in February, seeking to end their operations in Texas after they failed to comply with his requests for documents.
Despite Annunciation House requesting 30 days to respond to Paxton’s document requests, the Attorney General stated that they would be considered non-compliant if they did not respond by the following day. The organization obtained a temporary restraining order against Paxton’s demand for records, claiming that he did not cite which Texas laws were being violated with his requests. The judge overseeing the case criticized Paxton’s actions as being conducted without regard to due process or fair play.
In response to the lawsuit, Paxton made a statement denouncing any non-governmental organization that facilitates the illegal entry of aliens into Texas. He believes that such actions undermine the rule of law and pose potential risks to the safety and well-being of citizens. The judge in the case also expressed concerns about Paxton’s approach to the situation, labeling his efforts as “roughshod.” Annunciation House, a volunteer Catholic organization providing advocacy and education around immigration issues, has denied the accusations made against them by Paxton, calling them illegal, immoral, and anti-faith.
Annunciation House has a longstanding history of providing hospitality to refugees and migrants for over 46 years, with recognition from the Catholic Church and inclusion in the National Catholic Directory. The organization states that their work is guided by scriptural and Gospel mandates to welcome the stranger, and they compare their services to those offered by schools, clinics, hospitals, and places of worship to refugees and migrants. The group disputes the allegations of human smuggling made by Paxton in his lawsuit, and they maintain that their actions are in line with their religious beliefs and humanitarian principles.
Paxton’s lawsuit against Annunciation House references public reports on the organization’s operations in El Paso, including claims that migrants who avoided Border Patrol when crossing the Rio Grande out of fear of being sent back to Mexico were given refuge by the organization. The lawsuit alleges that Annunciation House is involved in human smuggling, citing their admission of contracting with a local company to transport migrants in passenger vans. Despite the legal challenges from Paxton, Annunciation House remains committed to their mission of providing support and assistance to vulnerable migrants and refugees, emphasizing their belief in the importance of welcoming and caring for those in need.