The League of Women Voters (LWV) and five of its state and local chapters filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other federal officials. The lawsuit challenges a new rule, abruptly enacted in August, that prohibits nonpartisan civic engagement groups from providing voter registration and promoting civic engagement to new citizens at administrative naturalization ceremonies.
The LWV, represented by the Campaign Legal Center (CLC), asserts that the new rule violates their First Amendment rights to engage in political speech and activities. The lawsuit also claims the federal agencies failed to adhere to the required procedures outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act when adopting the new policy.
For decades, the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization, has considered providing on-site voter registration at naturalization ceremonies a core part of its mission. However, the new USCIS rule reverses prior policy, allowing only government officials to offer voter registration services following certain ceremonies.
“Purposely excluding groups like the League from administrative naturalization ceremonies is a deliberate move by this administration to deny new citizens access to the democratic process and attack the League’s very mission,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. She added that blocking their work is a “direct attempt to prevent new voter registrations” and keep them from providing critical guidance to new Americans.
According to the League, the rule change has already forced state and local chapters to cancel at least 166 planned voter registration events, where an estimated 10,000 new voters were expected to register.
Attorneys and League officials argue the government is unlawfully restricting free speech and civic participation.
“Our democracy is strongest when every voter can participate easily and without barriers,” said Alexandra Copper, legal counsel for strategic litigation at Campaign Legal Center. “The federal government’s attempts to limit these groups’ efforts are a direct attack on the constitutionally guaranteed right to participate in our political process.”
Peg Schrader, president of the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, stated, “Being barred from naturalization ceremonies is not just a restriction on our work but also a direct affront to immigrants, their families, and our democracy.”
The lawsuit seeks to reverse the new policy and restore the ability of nonpartisan groups to assist new citizens in exercising their right to vote immediately after taking the oath of citizenship.
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