The Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas is a network of shelters that have been providing housing and food to destitute migrants for almost fifty years. Founded by Ruben Garcia, the organization operates on Christian values of welcoming strangers, regardless of their faith traditions. Migrants, many of whom are families with children, receive hot meals, showers, clothing, and a place to sleep as they prepare to continue their journey to their final destination in major American cities.
Over the years, the Annunciation House has served tens of thousands of migrants, alleviating overcrowding in government facilities and providing a lifeline to those in need. However, in recent years, the organization has found itself in a legal battle with the state of Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the charity of harboring illegal aliens and operating a “stash house,” leading to investigations and demands for documents. Despite these allegations, the Annunciation House has continued to provide assistance to migrants who have been released by federal immigration agents or have entered the country illegally.
In response to Texas’ demands and attempts to shut down the Annunciation House, a state judge granted a pause in the documents demand, highlighting discrepancies in the state’s investigation. Judge Francisco Dominguez denied Texas’ request to close down the organization, criticizing the state’s actions as a pretext to harass the charity and its employees. Paxton’s office is appealing the judge’s orders, but organizations like the Annunciation House and Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley remain committed to upholding their mission of helping immigrants within the boundaries of the law.
For migrants like Wilson Juárez Hernández, the stakes are high if the Annunciation House is forced to close. After surviving a fire at a Mexican immigration detention center and sustaining injuries that left him handicapped, Juárez Hernández relies on the organization for medical treatment and support. Without family in the U.S. to turn to, the closure of the Annunciation House could leave him in a precarious situation. Despite his challenges, Juárez Hernández remains hopeful and determined to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, emphasizing that his favorite word in English is “happy.” The ongoing legal battle between the state of Texas and organizations like the Annunciation House underscores the complex and often contentious landscape of U.S. immigration policy and the humanitarian efforts to assist those in need.
