Church groups defend migrant dignity in Texas and Iowa

Catholic bishops in Texas and Iowa have opposed efforts in both states to enact punitive lawsuits and legislation targeting undocumented migrants and those who assist them.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought a temporary injunction against Annunciation House, a group of shelters that offer hospitality, basic medical care and spiritual assistance to migrants in El Paso.  

In February, Paxton had issued a subpoena for records the ministry kept on those it served, threatening to shut it down if it failed to comply, but a judge blocked the subpoena saying it appeared “politically motivated” and failed to follow due process procedures.

Paxton has now alleged that Annunciation House conceals “illegally present aliens from law enforcement” and facilitating illegal border crossings. He said their efforts constituted “systemic criminal conduct”.

“All NGOs who are complicit in Joe Biden’s illegal immigration catastrophe and think they are above the law should consider themselves on notice,” Paxton said.

Jerome Wesevich of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, representing Annunciation House in its legal battles, said Paxton “accompanied his filing today with a vicious press release restating the false accusations he made against Annunciation House in early February”.  

He continued: “While the attorney general drums up attention to his false claims, Annunciation House continues to serve refugees as the law allows and as the Gospel commands.”

In Iowa, churches held a series of prayer vigils for the revocation of a new law making it a crime for any migrant to be in Iowa without proper documentation. The new law, modelled on a similar measure in Texas, will take effect on 1 July.  

The Iowa bishops opposed it because it placed “a disproportionate emphasis on punitive sanctions, undermine[s] family unity, reduce[s] humanitarian protections, and provide[s] no viable solutions for long-time residents without legal status. Nor can the State of Iowa simply ‘remove’ people to another sovereign nation without that country’s permission.”

“As we remember our history as immigrants in Iowa, let us work together towards a fair and compassionate resolution of our challenges with migration,” the Iowa bishops said.

St Anthony’s Church in Davenport, which was built by migrant workers in 1837, hosted one of the vigils. “The immigrants of 2024 share the same human dignity and deserve the same respect as the immigrants to Iowa in 1837 regardless of legal status,” said Fr Rudolf Juarez, the parish priest.  

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