On October 16, Florida authorities filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, accusing federal officials of unlawfully obstructing the state’s efforts to identify and remove noncitizens from its voter registration lists. This legal action comes amidst concerns about voter integrity and compliance with both state and federal laws governing the maintenance of accurate voter rolls. State law mandates that Florida officials accurately maintain voter registration records, while federal law requires cooperation from government agencies in verifying an individual’s citizenship or immigration status when requested.
The contention arises primarily from the state’s efforts to obtain specific data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Florida’s Department of State reportedly sought information on individuals flagged as potential noncitizens on the voter rolls. However, USCIS’s director informed Florida officials that the agency could only provide information available through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. Although Florida has access to this program, it is deemed inadequate because attempting to ascertain citizenship status requires specific biographical details and immigration identification numbers, which Florida does not always have.
In their complaint, filed in a federal court in Pensacola, Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with other state attorneys, asserted that the lack of assistance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prevents Florida from fulfilling its legal obligations to ensure electoral integrity and maintain accurate voter registration records. They argue that this situation inflicts a “sovereign injury” upon the state, restricting its capacity to uphold election laws effectively. Florida is seeking judicial recognition of USCIS’s refusal as illegal, demanding the provision of necessary information, in addition to reimbursement for legal costs incurred during the litigation.
The lawsuit highlights the broader political challenges surrounding immigration and voting rights, particularly in light of claims made by Florida officials regarding the influx of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration. Moody emphasized in her statement that voting is a privilege reserved for American citizens and expressed strong resolve to protect the state’s voter integrity against alleged federal leniency toward noncitizen voting.
While the lawsuit does not disclose the number of individuals identified as potential noncitizens, Florida officials mentioned they would maintain confidentiality about these names unless necessary for court proceedings. In response to the pending litigation, a DHS spokesperson stated that the agency does not comment on ongoing legal matters but affirmed that USCIS remains in communication with Florida officials through the appropriate channels. The situation underscores the tension between state and federal authorities over election security and immigration enforcement, a conflict likely to remain prominent in political discussions moving forward.
