Texas AG’s Subpoena of Migrant Shelter Blocked by El Paso Judge

A district court judge in Texas has halted Attorney General Ken Paxton’s efforts to investigate an El Paso migrant shelter that has been providing assistance to asylum seekers for many years, as reported by El Paso Matters.

Judge Francisco Dominguez issued a temporary block on Paxton’s subpoena of Annunciation House, accusing the shelter of being a “stash house” and engaging in “human smuggling.”

“The Attorney General’s actions against Annunciation House, without proper due process, raise questions about the true motives behind the attempt to hinder the shelter from offering its humanitarian and social services,” wrote Judge Dominguez on Monday.

“There is a legitimate concern that the decision to prevent Annunciation House from operating in Texas was predetermined,” he added.

Founder of Annunciation House, Ruben Garcia, expressed concerns in an earlier interview, stating, “This sends a chilling message to all organizations in Texas, as people will wonder if the attorney general has the authority to show up at any institution and demand an examination. It’s a fundamental question about how things should operate.”

During last week’s hearing, Judge Dominguez accused Paxton’s office of lacking transparency in their motives for targeting the Catholic non-profit, suggesting political ulterior motives.