]]>
Florida has taken legal action against the Biden administration, accusing it of obstructing efforts to verify immigration records, a process the state claims is critical to ensuring the integrity of its voter rolls. This lawsuit, filed by Florida officials, is the latest escalation in the ongoing battle between Republican-led states and the federal government over election security and voter integrity.
The lawsuit, first reported by Fox News, centers on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its alleged refusal to comply with federal law requiring cooperation with state and local governments. Florida is seeking access to DHS databases to verify the immigration status of individuals within the state, arguing that such information is crucial to prevent noncitizens from registering to vote illegally.
At the heart of Florida’s lawsuit is the assertion that the state has a responsibility to ensure its voter registration records are accurate and up-to-date. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized that voting is a right reserved for American citizens, and the lawsuit is a direct response to the Biden administration’s perceived failure to assist in verifying immigration status. Moody stated, “Voting is a right granted to American citizens — not illegal immigrants or other noncitizens.” She further argued that by refusing to provide the necessary immigration records, the Biden administration is undermining the state’s ability to maintain fair and lawful elections.
]]>
The lawsuit claims that the current immigration crisis at the southern border, which has seen millions of noncitizens enter the country, heightens the importance of maintaining secure voter rolls. Florida officials argue that without access to DHS data, the state cannot effectively prevent noncitizens from illegally registering to vote, jeopardizing the principle of “one citizen, one vote.”
The crux of Florida’s legal argument is that DHS is legally obligated to respond to requests for immigration verification under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This federal law allows states to access federal databases to check the immigration status of individuals when necessary, a provision Florida argues is being ignored by the Biden administration. The state’s lawsuit requests a court order declaring DHS’s actions unlawful and mandating the agency to comply by providing the requested information.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd also weighed in on…
Source
