El Paso – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has formally ended his lawsuit seeking to close Annunciation House, a longtime nonprofit shelter for illegal immigrants. On Monday the AG’s office filed a notice of nonsuit with prejudice, meaning the state will not pursue similar claims against the organization again.
Local impact and reactions
Ruben Garcia, founder and executive director of Annunciation House, called the decision “very gratifying” and urged the state legislature to enact safeguards that prevent future attempts to target humanitarian groups. “We’re tremendously grateful that this gives back a certain level of voice to organizations and their ability to speak out on the issues affecting refugees,” Garcia said.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D‑El Paso) welcomed the development, describing it as “long overdue good news” and crediting voters for using their collective voice at the ballot box. “Under Democratic leadership, our state will be redirecting its time, energy, and resources to issues that matter instead of the partisan bullying we grew accustomed to under Republicans,” she added.
Background of the case
The dispute began on Feb. 7, 2024, when Paxton’s office sent a demand letter requesting access to Annunciation House’s records. The shelter sued the AG the next day, challenging the demand as overreach. Paxton then moved to revoke the organization’s nonprofit registration, alleging harboring, human smuggling, and stash‑house activity.
Garcia denied the allegations, emphasizing that Annunciation House serves migrants processed and released by U.S. immigration authorities. The case moved through the courts, with an El Paso district judge blocking Paxton’s attempt and the Texas Supreme Court later reversing that decision in May 2025. The Supreme Court subsequently denied Annunciation House’s request for a rehearing.
Political context
Paxton, a Republican who lost his bid for a U.S. Senate seat in the November 2024 midterms, is set to leave the AG’s office in mid‑January. Attorney General‑elect Nathan Johnson, a Democrat now serving in the Senate, has indicated he will review the cases brought by Paxton.
The lawsuit was part of a broader pattern in which Paxton used consumer‑protection statutes to target several migrant‑service organizations. Critics argued that such actions cast a “wet blanket” over the vital work of nonprofits, forcing them to operate under the constant threat of legal action.
Future outlook
With the suit dismissed, Annunciation House can refocus on its core mission: providing shelter, food, and assistance to illegal immigrants and other vulnerable residents of El Paso. Local advocates hope the resolution will encourage other humanitarian groups to continue their work without fear of state‑level retaliation.
The case also highlights the shifting political landscape in Texas, where Democratic gains in recent elections are prompting a reassessment of aggressive enforcement tactics pursued by the previous administration.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
