The Annunciation House, a Catholic nonprofit shelter system in El Paso, Texas, is embroiled in a legal battle with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has accused the nonprofit of 'alien harboring' and running a human smuggling ring. This shelter, which has welcomed migrants and refugees for nearly 50 years, vehemently denies these allegations, describing them as an attack on their humanitarian mission. The controversy has sparked a wave of support from the El Paso community and various political figures, who criticize Paxton's actions as part of a broader MAGA extremist playbook aimed at demonizing immigrants and those who assist them. Amidst this, the shelter's founder, Ruben Garcia, has expressed gratitude for the support and warned that this could be the beginning of a wider crackdown on humanitarian organizations. In response, the shelter has countersued Paxton, challenging his claims and defending their operations against what has been described as an immoral assault.
For nearly 50 years, Ruben Garcia has welcomed migrants and refugees at Annunciation House. But, amid record border crossings, Texas is now trying to shut down his network of shelters. https://t.co/qTdUuUVogv
Texas Attorney General targets Catholic migrant shelter alleging human smuggling https://t.co/BVWSOuL27k
ERIN ELMORE: Texas sues NGOs facilitating ‘human smuggling’ along US-Mexico border https://t.co/vBT3S9dfeR
Last year, I visited @AHouseElPaso during one of my trips to the southern border and saw firsthand how they help both migrants and border communities. Now, the far-right Texas AG @KenPaxtonTX wants to shut them down. We cannot allow this immoral assault on a faith-based… https://t.co/DK0XPH2rgy
“Is there no shame to refer to houses of God, houses of hospitality, as stash houses?” @AHouseElPaso is fighting @TXAG’s threat to shut them down if they don’t immediately turn over records. @KenPaxtonTX accused the nonprofit of “human smuggling.” https://t.co/bqCFjFIUDy
Texas Attorney General threatens to shut down El Paso non-profit helping migrants https://t.co/eFYdqwCEOG
Texas group accused of 'alien harboring' countersues Attorney General Ken Paxton https://t.co/6ylgz90Ycj
.@AHouseElPaso founder and director Ruben Garcia warned that @TXAG’s intention to shut down the El Paso migrant aid nonprofit is just the beginning – other humanitarian organizations could be next. More from @priscillatotiya @report4america: https://t.co/bqCFjFIUDy
El Paso community shows support for Annunciation House as shelter fights Texas AG in court https://t.co/HwlSsnF5sS
Annunciation House, a nonprofit shelter system in El Paso, has welcomed migrants and refugees for nearly 50 years. But the increasing political prominence of immigration has put aid organizations in the crosshairs. https://t.co/f4XsrTc9sg
'Is there no shame!' Catholic El Paso migrant shelter DENIES running human smuggling ring and blasts Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for calling 'House of God a stash house' https://t.co/239BGz3nDe https://t.co/MCZNVdntr5
Catholic El Paso migrant shelter DENIES running human smuggling ring https://t.co/EhGo02Omh4 https://t.co/V2Ia8XXjAe
What Ken Paxton is doing to target Annunciation House is just the start of the MAGA extremist playbook intent on demonizing immigrants and those who provide support to them. Ruben, you have my gratitude. Our community stands with you. https://t.co/vEXSaBeSo9