El Paso, Texas is home to the Annunciation House, a network of shelters that has been providing housing and food to destitute migrants for almost fifty years. Leading prayers at the shelter is Ruben Garcia, who emphasizes the welcoming of strangers as a central tenet of various faith traditions. Most migrants entering the U.S. near El Paso make a stop at the Annunciation House to get essentials before continuing to their final destinations, which are typically major American cities. The organization has been an important lifeline for tens of thousands of migrants over the years, helping prevent overcrowding in government facilities during times of increased illegal border crossings.
However, the Annunciation House is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the state of Texas. The Texas Attorney General’s office has accused the organization of harboring illegal aliens and operating a “stash house,” leading to a demand for documents and an attempt to shut down the shelter. Judge Francisco Dominguez denied Texas’ request to close the Annunciation House, criticizing the state’s actions as harassment. Texas is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court and is also investigating other migrant service organizations in the region, including the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.
The Texas Attorney General’s office has been surveilling the Annunciation House as part of a broader effort to enforce Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to investigate organizations helping migrants. The state has accused these groups of encouraging illegal immigration by sheltering and feeding migrants, even those who have entered the country illegally without being processed. Despite the legal challenges, Ruben Garcia maintains that the organization’s mission is to help those in need, regardless of their immigration status.
For migrants like Wilson Juárez Hernández, the Annunciation House has been a crucial support system. Juárez Hernández survived a fire at a Mexican immigration detention center and has been living at the shelter while undergoing medical treatment. Without the support of the Annunciation House, he would be left in limbo, with no family in America and nowhere to go. Despite his injuries, Juárez Hernández remains determined and is slowly learning to take care of himself, with the hope of one day fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.
The Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, another organization providing migrant services, has also faced scrutiny from Texas officials. The charity has been accused of facilitating alien crossings over the Texas-Mexico border, leading to additional investigations. In response, the organization has reaffirmed its commitment to helping immigrants within the bounds of the law. The ongoing legal battles highlight the political tensions and complexities surrounding immigration policy in the United States, particularly in border regions like El Paso.
