Texas Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Attorney General Ken Paxton
Update:
6:15 p.m. May 30, 2025: Updated to include Ken Paxton’s comment.
Background of the Case
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton could resume his efforts to investigate an El Paso nonprofit that assists migrants.
According to the ruling delivered by Justice Evan A. Young, the state’s highest civil court reversed a lower court’s block on Paxton’s ability to get records from Annunciation House. But it said it was “too early” to rule on the merits of the attorney general’s broad allegations against the Catholic charity.
“Perhaps the case will terminate quickly based on evidentiary or legal grounds; perhaps it will go to trial,” the ruling said. “Perhaps the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act will affect the proceedings in an outcome-determinative way; perhaps that statute will end up playing no such role.”
The lawsuit will now go back to the district court.
Previous Rulings and Appeals
Paxton sued Annunciation House last year, accusing the charity of encouraging illegal immigration by providing services to migrants regardless of their legal status. He also demanded records from the nonprofit, including documents identifying every migrant helped and the services provided since the start of 2022.
In July, District Judge Francisco Dominguez of El Paso dismissed Paxton’s lawsuit, calling it “outrageous and intolerable” and a pretext to justify the “harassment of Annunciation House employees and the persons seeking refuge.”
Reactions to the Ruling
Paxton then appealed the case to the state’s Supreme Court. The attorney general cheered the ruling in a Friday news release.
“Today is a great victory for Texas, secure borders, and the rule of law,” Paxton said.
Ruben Garcia, director of Annunciation House, declined to comment Friday afternoon because he wanted to first better understand the ruling’s implications.
Though in a joint statement, several rights organizations said the Friday court ruling is enabling Paxton’s targeting of groups that support migrant communities.
“It sets a dangerous precedent and highlights how the state’s top legal office is being used to launch partisan attacks under the guise of immigration enforcement,” said the statement from the Border Network for Human Rights, La Union Del Pueblo Entero and Texas Civil Rights Project.
Implications of the Ruling
The ruling has significant implications for the future of migrant support groups in Texas. The case will now go back to the district court, where it will be decided on its merits.
The Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act may play a role in the proceedings, but it is too early to determine its impact. The ruling has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it enables the targeting of groups that support migrant communities.
Related News
Breaking News
Related: Targeting El Paso charity that helps migrants, Ken Paxton opens new front in border fight
Related: Judge rejects Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down El Paso nonprofit that helps migrants
Related: Lawyers for Texas say effort to close Catholic charity does not limit religious liberty
Conclusion
The Texas Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Attorney General Ken Paxton has significant implications for the future of migrant support groups in Texas. The case will now go back to the district court, where it will be decided on its merits. The ruling has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it enables the targeting of groups that support migrant communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Annunciation House?
A: The Annunciation House is a Catholic charity that provides services to migrants in El Paso, Texas.
Q: Why did Attorney General Ken Paxton sue the Annunciation House?
A: Paxton sued the Annunciation House, accusing the charity of encouraging illegal immigration by providing services to migrants regardless of their legal status.
Q: What was the ruling of the Texas Supreme Court?
A: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that Paxton could resume his efforts to investigate the Annunciation House, reversing a lower court’s block on his ability to get records from the nonprofit.
Q: What are the implications of the ruling?
A: The ruling has significant implications for the future of migrant support groups in Texas, and may enable the targeting of groups that support migrant communities.
Q: What is the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act?
A: The Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act is a statute that may affect the proceedings in the case, but its impact is still to be determined.
Staff writer Aarón Torres contributed to this report.
CORRECTION: 6:15 p.m. May 30, 2025: A previous version of this story misspelled Ruben Garcia’s first name.
