Texas judge blocks AG’s subpoena of nonprofit that assists migrants

A West Texas judge on Monday subpoenaed an immigrant advocacy nonprofit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) after calling the state’s request “disrespectful” and “unprofessional” during arguments last week. The attempt was stopped.

Last month, Paxton accused El Paso-based Annunciation House of “hosting foreign nationals, smuggling people and operating stash houses.” This nonprofit organization serves as a temporary shelter for undocumented immigrants who have recently entered the United States.

The state subpoena demanded customers’ records and names, and the secretary of state had one day to comply. When the nonprofit claimed it needed more time, the state accused it of violating the law and required it to shut down.

“The Attorney General’s efforts to roughhouse the Annunciation House, in disregard of due process and fair play, prevent the delivery of the humanitarian and social services provided by the Annunciation House,” Judge Francisco wrote. “It casts doubt on the attorney general’s true motives for attempting to do so.” Dominguez wrote on Monday.

“There are real and credible concerns that the attempt to prevent Annunciation House from doing business in Texas was predetermined,” he added.

Dominguez ordered that the attorney general’s office must file a civil lawsuit against the nonprofit to receive the requested documents.

During Thursday’s court proceedings, Mr. Dominguez admonished Assistant Attorney General Ryan Barsh for the state’s response after Mr. Barsh characterized the subpoena as a “negotiation.”

“This is where you start to undermine my intelligence,” Dominguez said Thursday. The Texas Tribune reported. “You did not offer to negotiate. You did not intend to act in good faith.”

The lawsuit against Annunciation House is part of a series of measures by Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) administration aimed at aggressively curbing immigration to the state.

In addition to a bitter legal battle with the federal government over border jurisdiction, Mr. Abbott has spent billions of dollars to strengthen border security by hiring more law enforcement, expanding authority and cracking down on border crossings.