Judge blocks Paxton from deposing Team Brownsville leader

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s attempts to depose the leader of Team Brownsville, a small nonprofit that provides shelter and humanitarian assistance to people seeking safety at the border, has been thwarted by a state district judge.

Judge Mayra Guerra Gamble of the 459th Civil District Court in Travis County denied a Rule 202 petition submitted by Paxton.

Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said Paxton’s petition was baseless as he was claiming Team Brownsville was helping people cross the border. She said that was not true.

“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,” Garza said.

The Texas Civil Rights Project represented Team Brownsville in court.

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen has praised the work of Team Brownsville along with other non-governmental organizations that assist migrants that cross into his city. Following a meeting with President Biden in Brownsville in March, Cowen said Team Brownsville was part of the City of Brownsville’s successful Brownsville Model.

“The Brownsville Model… is a framework for migrant management that has become a beacon of hope and innovation for our nation and for our great city. At the heart of this strategy is a humanitarian approach that prioritizes dignity and care for every individual,” Cowen said.

“Under the leadership of Miss Odee Ann Leal, director of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Brownsville has demonstrated what is possible when local government takes the lead in managing complex challenges. 

This local government approach is a testament to the power of effective governance and coordination.”

Cowen said collaboration is key.

“Collaboration is a cornerstone of the Brownsville Model, bringing together a wide array of partners, including US Border Patrol, US Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement, alongside vital NGOs such as the Brownsville Good Neighbor Settlement House, Team Brownsville, Ozanan Center, and Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville. And representatives of each organization are here on the stage with me. This network of partners underscores a community-wide effort that is nothing short of inspiring,” Cowen said.

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. Andrea Rudnik is president of the group. She said Team Brownsville 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.

“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,” Rudnik said. “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.” 

Rudnick is the Team Brownsville leader Paxton sought to depose.

Aron Thorn, senior staff attorney for the Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project, said Judge Guerra Gamble’s 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. He said 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,” Thorn said. “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.”

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