(Texas Scorecard) – The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton can investigate and seek judicial remedies against Annunciation House, a Catholic non-profit that operates several homeless shelters throughout the El Paso area allegedly benefitting illegal aliens.
Published Friday morning, the Texas Supreme Court opinion states that Paxton has the authority to file a quo warranto action challenging Annunciation House’s right to do business in Texas. If Paxton’s accusations are accurate, it could lead to the closure of Annunciation House.
In February 2024, Paxton requested access to the organization’s records after accusing it of aiding and sheltering illegal aliens. His request was denied. This was followed by an El Paso district judge’s ruling that further blocked Paxton’s request.
Paxton appealed the dismissal of his lawsuit to the Texas Supreme Court in July 2024, and the court heard oral arguments in the case earlier this year.
Justice Evan Young, who delivered the opinion, concluded that there is no lawful reason to bar Paxton from filing a quo warranto action or requesting records in this situation. Quo warrantos have a long historical standing in both common law and in the Texas Constitution.
“We conclude that the trial court erred in its constitutional holdings,” wrote Young in the opinion. “We likewise conclude that the court’s related injunctions, which prevent the attorney general from even filing a quo warranto action, were premature at best.”
Additionally, the Supreme Court rejected arguments from Annunciation House that Texas law limits the attorney general’s authority and that the demand of immediate access to records is unconstitutional.
Young further stated that the Supreme Court’s decision does not express an opinion on or discuss questions regarding Paxton’s accusations against Annunciation House, but leaves them to be determined in the lower courts through usual legal processes.
“The Supreme Court was right to right to respect the AG’s authority to investigate and and they were right to withhold judgment about any the substance of the case, which will be determined in due course,” attorney Tony McDonald told Texas Scorecard.
“Today is a great victory for Texas, secure borders, and the rule of law,” said Paxton. “Annunciation House has flagrantly violated our laws by harboring illegal aliens and assisting them to enter further into our country. This cannot be allowed to continue, and I will do everything in my power to stop them and any other NGO breaking our laws.”
Annunciation House declined to comment on the case at this time.