Attorney General's Baseless Investigation into Border Aid Organization Fails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2024

Contact: media@texascivilrightsproject.org 

After several attempts to investigate humanitarian aid organizations in South Texas, Team Brownsville becomes latest group to win in court

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Yesterday, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble of the 459th Civil District Court in Travis County denied a Rule 202 petition submitted by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to investigate Team Brownsville, a small nonprofit that provides shelter and humanitarian assistance to people seeking safety at the border. The baseless petition claimed that Team Brownsville was helping people cross the border, and is one of several legal actions the Attorney General has taken against Texas non-governmental organizations. The Texas Civil Rights Project is representing Team Brownsville on this matter.  

“We applaud Judge Gamble for yesterday’s ruling. Our goal has always been to help our most vulnerable neighbors, people who have traveled to the border with very little,” said Andrea Rudnik (she/her), President of Team Brownsville, Inc. “Brownsville has always been a community that helps people in times of crisis, organizations like us and the others who have been targeted fill a gap in services that are needed for people who are often forgotten about. We remain committed to that mission.” 

Team Brownsville was founded in July 2018, by a small group of like-minded educator volunteers in Brownsville, Texas. The volunteers help families and individuals legally seeking asylum in the United States. The team has offered a variety of programs in the last three years to assist asylum seekers including providing food, water, shelter, basic necessities, and support with legal, medical, and other services.

“Yesterday’s ruling is a powerful reminder of the strength that we, the people, possess in protecting civil rights for our communities. Organizations like Team Brownsville exemplify the critical need for resources in underfunded regions in our state. TCRP is proud to stand alongside Team Brownsville as we continue to fight for the essential services they provide and stand up for the rights of nonprofits to continue their critical work,” said Rochelle Garza (she/her), President of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

The ruling follows similar failed attempts by the Attorney General to investigate humanitarian organizations that provide shelter, food, clothing, and other resources to people seeking safety at the Texas border. Annunciation House, Catholic Charities, and FIEL make up the aid organizations that have been targeted. 

“We are thrilled with the Judge’s ruling denying this baseless petition and proud to represent Team Brownsville. Organizations like Team Brownsville provide essential services to people seeking safety at the border,” said Aron Thorn (he/him), Senior Staff Attorney, Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project. “They fill a critical need in Texas border communities that are unable to care for immigrants. Any effort to end their services is an attack on that very care.”

###

About Texas Civil Rights Project

The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas, and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice and without fear.