Paxton drops case against El Paso’s largest migrant shelter network, Annunciation House

Paxton drops case against El Paso’s largest migrant shelter network, Annunciation House by Natalie Venegas Tue, November 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM 5 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Annunciation House. (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: Paxton Annunciation House El Paso Migrant shelter Lawsuit Texas Supreme Court Human smuggling Nathan Johnson EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Outgoing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has dropped his lawsuit seeking to shut down El Paso's largest migrant shelter after nearly three years. The attorney general's office filed a notice on Monday dropping the case against Annunciation House with prejudice, meaning the same claims cannot be refiled. Speaking to KFOX14/CBS4 on Tuesday, Annunciation House Executive Director Ruben Garcia called the outcome gratifying and said he wants lawmakers to prevent similar actions, as Annunciation House was not the only organization Paxton sought to sue. "Gratified that this multi-year process was coming to an end and truly grateful that it's over. You have to remember that Annunciation House was the first organization that the attorney general went after. We were not the only organization," Garcia said. He added, "Other organizations were also served with a variety of documents. They were all going after the same thing. They were all an attempt to try and stop nonprofits from doing work that is first legal." KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to Paxton's office for comment and has not heard back yet. The legal battle began after Paxton sought to shut down the organization, alleging it facilitates human smuggling. Garcia had denied the claims, stating the organization serves migrants processed and released by U.S. immigration authorities. "To give undocumented people shelter, a cot to sleep on, meals, a place to shower, change of clothing, that is not illegal," Garcia said. Annunciation House, a volunteer-run nonprofit, provides housing for migrants, immigrants, and refugees in El Paso. RELATED: Texas Supreme Court hears case on future of El Paso's largest migrant shelter network As part of the legal battle, on Feb. 7, 2024, Paxton demanded records from the nonprofit network of migrant shelters, including information about the people it serves. However, the organization sued Paxton, challenging the demand for records. This led Paxton to seek to shut down Annunciation House by revoking the nonprofit's registration in Texas. The case then moved its way through the courts, with an El Paso district judge blocking Paxton's attempt to shutter the organization, with Paxton then appealing to the Texas Supreme Court. In May 2025, the Texas Supreme Court reversed the lower court's ruling, later denying the organization's request for a rehearing. The case was then set to go to court again in March, before Paxton dropped the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the move comes as Paxton, a Republican who lost a U.S. Senate seat during the Nov. 3 midterm election, is set to leave the attorney general's office in Janauary. Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson, a Democrat, has said he intends to review cases brought by Paxton. RECOMMENDED: El Paso’s Annunciation House shelters over 100 immigrants released from ICE detention Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox NEWS IN PHOTOS: " Local " 5 NEW Paxton drops case against El Paso’s largest migrant shelter network, Annunciation House 3 NEW El Paso Water repairs 10-inch main break on Hawkins near North Loop Tuesday night 7 Dona Ana County receives $3M for CRRUA tank cleaning under Project Jupiter benefits deal 3 El Paso City Council approves $72.5 million plan to modernize international bridges