El Paso, Texas — A longstanding migrant shelter network in Texas received a judicial reprieve this week when a state district court judge ruled against the state attorney general’s efforts to shut it down, highlighting a significant legal standoff over the treatment of migrants near the Uroi Grande Valley, a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration.
State District Judge Francisco X. Dominguez dismissed the attorney general’s demands for closure of several shelters operated by Annunciation House, citing a lack of substantive evidence and asserting that the request infringed upon constitutional protections against unreasonable searches. Dominguez described the actions taken by the Attorney General’s office as “outrageous and intolerable,” setting a firm legal boundary against the requested injunction.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Ken Paxton accused Annunciation House, a faith-based organization providing shelter to thousands of migrants and undocumented immigrants, of aiding in illegal border crossings and concealing undocumented immigrants from law enforcement authorities. Annunciation House has partnered with U.S. immigration officials for nearly five decades to offer essential services like food and clothing, viewing its mission as a humanitarian and religious duty.
In response to Paxton’s allegations, Annunciation House filed a lawsuit seeking a judicial review of the state’s demands for private records of those under its care. Paxton countered with a lawsuit aiming to close the facilities entirely, claiming they operated as part of a “criminal enterprise.”
The court’s rejection of these claims was supported by several advocacy groups and legal experts who argued that the attorney general’s actions were politically motivated and legally unfounded. Jerome Wesevich, an attorney at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid representing Annunciation House, criticized the attempts to shutter the shelters as “purely political.”
The discord between state policy and the operations of migrant shelters like Annunciation House underscores a broader conflict over immigration policy in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has emphasized a tough stance on illegal immigration, aligning with Paxton’s aggressive investigations into organizations that assist migrants.
Pope Francis has even weighed in on the controversy, denouncing the investigation into Annunciation House as “madness” and praising the network’s humanitarian efforts. His comments came at a time when the facility was gaining international attention for its role in providing refuge to vulnerable populations.
This legal battle occurs amidst a continuous push by the Texas Attorney General’s office to scrutinize various organizations under the guise of consumer protection laws, stretching into realms as diverse as health care and social advocacy, pointing to a broader strategy of using legal tools to influence policy on sensitive issues.
Annunciation House’s victory in court has been met with relief and support from local politicians and community leaders who see the organization as a vital part of the region’s response to ongoing migrant crises. Representative Veronica Escobar, a Democrat whose district includes El Paso, praised the ruling as a defeat against what she viewed as a “repugnant political attack.”
As it stands, the attorney general’s office has not indicated whether it will appeal Tuesday’s rulings. Meanwhile, Annunciation House and its supporters continue to prepare for further challenges as political and public scrutiny of immigration and border policies persists. The case could set precedents regarding the legal boundaries of state authority over charitable organizations dealing with migrant populations at the U.S.-Mexico border, a topic that remains heated and polarized in American discourse.