A legal dispute has arisen between the Texas Attorney General's office and a well-known Catholic nonprofit organization, Annunciation House, located in El Paso, Texas. The Attorney General's office is suing to shut down the nonprofit's operations, alleging that the organization is involved in human smuggling and is worsening illegal immigration.

The conflict escalated when officials from the AG's office visited Annunciation House on February 7 and demanded extensive documentation within 24 hours, including the identities of all migrants the organization has assisted, as per court records. In response, an attorney representing Annunciation House filed a lawsuit on February 8 to challenge the legality of the AG's request and to delay the release of the records, stating that the AG's true intention is to shut down the organization.

Annunciation House, known for its four decades of service in providing shelter to hundreds of thousands of refugees, refuted the AG's allegations, emphasizing that its work is acknowledged by the Catholic Church and listed in the National Catholic Directory. The organization expressed its commitment to aiding refugees, drawing parallels to the services provided by various other entities such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

The Attorney General, Ken Paxton, accused Annunciation House of facilitating human smuggling and contributing to the chaos at the southern border. The AG's move is seen as part of the state's effort to exert control over immigration issues amid the forthcoming controversial law SB4, scheduled to take effect on March 5. This law aims to empower law enforcement to arrest suspected migrants who crossed into the country illegally, leading to their potential removal and return to Mexico.

Annunciation House plans to address the lawsuit in a press conference on Friday, highlighting its longstanding mission to provide hospitality to migrants in need. As the legal battle unfolds, the clash between the state and the nonprofit reflects broader tensions surrounding immigration policy and humanitarian aid efforts in the region.