Originally published at National Catholic Register
A Texas Catholic shelter network defended itself at the state Supreme Court this week against allegations that the nonprofit unlawfully harbors “aliens” who entered the country illegally.
Annunciation House, which has operated along the southern U.S. border for nearly 50 years, asked the Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 13 to block Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down the organization over the alleged violations. The shelter network contends it has never violated state law and accuses the attorney general’s office of curtailing its religious mission of caring for those in need.
Several justices on the nine-member court appeared skeptical of the attorney general’s claims and expressed religious liberty concerns. Paxton is Republican, as are all nine of the justices.
Lawyers debate ‘harboring’ allegation
Ryan Baasch, who represented the attorney general’s office, told the justices that Annunciation House “is not immunized because of its religion” and that the nonprofit cannot claim religious liberty protections if it violates Texas laws that prohibit alien harboring.
“Annunciation House’s purpose is to shelter illegally present aliens,” Baasch contended. “That distinguishes them from a service provider that serves all indiscriminately.”
Baasch alleged that Annunciation House “takes active measures to hamper law enforcement,” but when pressed
