AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas judge on Thursday shielded another migrant aid group from deeper questioning as part of a growing Republican-led investigation into organizations that help immigrants cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
U.S. District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled that the aid group Team Brownsville was not required to participate in testimony related to the investigation. The ruling continues a string of court defeats for Texas officials who have increasingly scrutinized migrant aid groups. The investigations were launched after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott wrote a letter in 2022, without citing evidence, suggesting that some organizations may be acting unlawfully or helping migrants enter the U.S. illegally.
Gamble’s decision does not prevent the state from continuing an investigation into Team Brownsville, which has been accused by state officials of improperly using federal grant money. At a hearing in Austin, attorneys for Team Brownsville denied the allegations and accused Texas officials of trying to intimidate aid groups.
A judge in July rejected a similar request for depositions from Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, and another judge rejected the state’s efforts to close a migrant shelter in El Paso.
Spokespeople for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose office is leading the investigation, did not immediately respond to requests for comment after the hearing.
No criminal charges have been filed against any of the groups, and lawyers from Paxton’s office told Gamble they have no interest in pursuing a criminal investigation against Team Brownsville, which provides food and shelter to asylum seekers entering the U.S.
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Lathan is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
