Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against a Houston immigrants’ rights organization, accusing them of engaging in political speech without properly registering as a political committee. The lawsuit, which was filed in Harris County District Court, alleges that the organization violated state law by failing to disclose its political activities and funding sources.
The organization in question, the Texas Organizing Project Education Fund, is a nonprofit that works to empower low-income and minority communities in Texas. According to the lawsuit, the organization has been advocating for policies that benefit immigrants and minorities, and has spent money on voter registration efforts and other political activities.
Paxton claims that the organization should have registered as a political committee with the Texas Ethics Commission, which would require them to disclose their donors and adhere to certain reporting requirements. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and an injunction to prevent the organization from engaging in further political speech until they comply with the law.
The Texas Organizing Project Education Fund has denied the allegations, stating that they are a nonprofit organization that is governed by federal tax laws, not state campaign finance laws. They argue that their advocacy work falls under their mission to promote social and economic justice for all Texans.
This lawsuit comes amidst growing tensions over immigration policy and the rights of minority communities in Texas. It raises questions about the regulation of political speech by nonprofit organizations and the boundaries between advocacy and political activity. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for other organizations engaged in similar advocacy work in the state.
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