AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton is seeking an injunction to enjoin a charity’s alleged “continued illegal alien harboring, operation of a stash house, and operations as a whole.”
Paxton has put the Annunciation House, a nongovernmental organization, in his sights, seeking to revoke the charity’s registration to operate in Texas.
In February, Paxton announced that his office had reviewed “significant” public record information “strongly suggesting” that Annunciation House is illegally engaged in “alien harboring, human smuggling, and operating a stash house.”
Paxton’s office had demanded access to the Annunciation House’s records to evaluate potential violations. But the charity refused and instead sued the Office of the Attorney General.
The attorney general maintains that the OAG has “complete and unlimited authority” to examine business records, in order to ensure that entities operating within the state are doing so lawfully.
In addition to the injunction request, Paxton also brought a motion for leave to file an amended petition and counterclaim earlier this month. A hearing has been slated for June 17, court records show.
If Annunciation House’s legal bills start to pile up, the charity has purportedly received hefty contributions from noteworthy donors.
According to Restoration News, George Soros’ Foundation to Promote Open Society gave $500,000 while Mark Zuckerberg’s immigration advocacy group, FWD.US, gave $50,000.
Apparently, the pope is also paying attention.
On 60 Minutes last night, Pope Francis commented on the legal battle between Paxton and the Annunciation House, which has claimed a religious exemption, calling it “madness.”
The lawsuit seeks to revoke Annunciation House’s authorization to do business in Texas and asks the court to appoint a receiver to liquidate their assets.
Case No. 2024-DCV-0616