At the Annunciation House, a network of shelters in El Paso, Texas, prayer is considered essential. For almost 50 years, the organization has been providing food and shelter to destitute migrants.
A group of American volunteers cooked a satisfying meal for several migrants, who were mostly families with children, at one of the Catholic charity’s shelters. Before digging in, the grateful migrants gathered for a prayer, thanking God for the food and seeking blessings for those who are still making their way to the United States.
Ruben Garcia, the founder and current director of Annunciation House, led the prayer. He established the organization in 1978 and has been running it ever since.
According to CBS News, Garcia emphasized that their beliefs stem from various religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. He explained that their practice of welcoming strangers, which is central to each of these faiths, transcends denominational differences. “We come from a Catholic tradition. But this isn’t Catholic. This isn’t Lutheran. This isn’t Episcopalian or Methodist or Presbyterian. This is Christian. It is Jewish. It is Muslim,” Garcia stated.
When migrants make their way into the United States through El Paso, one of the busiest migration corridors along the southern border, the Annunciation House is often their first destination. Here, they can find a warm meal, clean clothes, access to showers, and a comfortable place to rest before continuing on to their final destinations, typically in major American cities.
For many years, the Annunciation House has played a crucial role in providing assistance to countless migrants seeking refuge in the United States. By extending a helping hand to those in need, this organization has not only served as a lifeline for newcomers, but has also aided Border Patrol agents in avoiding hazardous overcrowding in government facilities. The issue of illegal border crossings has been a challenge for both Republican and Democratic administrations, and the Annunciation House has been a vital partner in addressing this issue.
Amidst an era of intense political division regarding U.S. immigration policy, the Annunciation House is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the state of Texas that could ultimately result in the shutdown of this faith-based organization.
A “stash house”
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In February, Annunciation House found itself embroiled in a legal battle when the Texas Attorney General’s office demanded access to its documents. The nonprofit was under investigation, and shelter officials were warned they could be in violation of the law if they refused to provide the requested information.
A lawsuit was filed by the Annunciation House, requesting a state judge to halt Texas’ demand for documents until the matter could be reviewed. The request was granted. However, Paxton’s office subsequently asked the same judge to completely shut down the operations of Annunciation House, alleging that the charity had violated state laws.
According to a legal filing from Paxton’s office, Annunciation House is involved in conduct that is considered illegal alien harboring and stash house operation, both of which are felonies under the Texas Penal Code.
According to Paxton’s office, they have been monitoring the Annunciation House as a part of a larger initiative to uphold Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s orders to investigate organizations aiding migrants. With the current administration facing an unprecedented surge of illegal border crossings, Republican lawmakers have accused non-governmental groups of facilitating illegal immigration by providing shelter and nourishment to migrants.
According to Texas officials’ legal documents, the Annunciation House has assisted not only migrants who were released by federal immigration agents but also those who entered the country unlawfully without going through the processing system.
In a recent ruling, state Judge Francisco Dominguez rebuked Texas’ attempt to close down Annunciation House and imposed certain conditions on any future document requests from Paxton’s office. The judge’s order criticized Paxton’s request for documents as a mere excuse to target and intimidate both Annunciation House employees and refugees seeking shelter.
In his order, Dominguez criticized Texas officials for failing to disclose their investigation into the charity’s potential criminal conduct. He expressed his outrage at the situation and deemed it intolerable.
Last week, Paxton’s office informed Dominguez that it is appealing his orders to the Texas Supreme Court. Despite being asked multiple times, it did not provide any information regarding the number of migrant services organizations it is currently investigating.
Court records reveal that the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, a major organization providing shelter to migrants in the region, is under investigation by the Texas attorney general. The state is looking into the group’s alleged involvement in aiding “alien crossings over the Texas-Mexico border.” However, their attempt to depose a representative with knowledge of the matter was denied by a judge.
According to CBS News, the Texas government’s attempt to investigate the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has been criticized by the organization as a “phishing expedition.” The charity has already provided documents to Paxton’s office, and in a statement, it emphasized that it follows all laws while providing assistance to immigrants.
The nonprofit stated that it will remain committed to fulfilling its legal obligations while staying true to its mission, which is inspired by Sacred Scripture and the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.
“I think it’s happening because of the politics”
According to Garcia, the director of Annunciation House, their organization is solely focused on assisting individuals who are in desperate need of help.
According to Garcia, the motive behind the state of Texas’ pursuit of an NGO committed to human rights is solely political. He firmly believes that there is no valid reason for Texas to go after such an organization with a long-standing record of working towards the betterment of human rights.
Wilson Juárez Hernández, a 22-year-old migrant from Guatemala, is currently residing at one of the Annunciation House shelters following his survival of a fire that claimed 40 migrant lives at a Mexican immigration detention center in Ciudad Juárez last year. However, if Texas successfully shuts down the Annunciation House, Wilson and other migrants could potentially be left in a state of uncertainty.
Juárez Hernández shared with CBS News in Spanish that he lost many friends, including many young people around his age.
He pointed out that although he and other migrants managed to survive, they did not come out of the experience completely unharmed.
After inhaling the smoke from a devastating fire, Juárez Hernández was left disabled and now relies on a wheelchair for mobility. Thankfully, he was able to enter the United States for medical treatment. However, due to his condition, he struggles to perform daily tasks such as eating, bathing, and dressing without assistance. As he has no family in America, the potential closure of the Annunciation House, which covers his medical expenses and physical therapy, would leave him with nowhere to go.
Juárez Hernández has managed to regain his independence by slowly learning to perform most basic activities by himself, such as eating and getting dressed, although it is uncertain whether he will be able to walk again. He has also taken up English lessons and continues to hold on to his childhood dream of becoming a doctor. This passion has been with him since he was just 10 years old.
Juárez Hernández expressed that his favorite word in English is “Happy.” When asked about the reason behind it, he simply replied that it’s because he is always happy.