Texas Sues DHS Over Voter Citizenship Data

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), demanding access to data on approximately 450,000 voters whose citizenship status is unverified. Paxton argues that the federal government is obstructing Texas's efforts to ensure only U.S. citizens vote, despite federal law prohibiting noncitizen voting. The lawsuit highlights a contradiction where federal law bars states from requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, which Paxton claims complicates efforts to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. Texas officials assert that they need the requested data to confirm the eligibility of these voters, as they cannot access it through existing databases like the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE). The lawsuit comes amid a broader trend among Republican-led states to implement stricter voter verification measures as the 2024 election approaches. The case raises significant legal questions regarding the balance of state and federal responsibilities in managing voter eligibility.