In response to the USCIS policy changed, on November 18, 2025, the national League of Women Voters, the League of Women Voters of Colorado, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, the Leagues of Women Voters of Saratoga County, the League of Women Voters of Charleston Area and the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County filed a federal lawsuit against USCIS, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in United States District Court in Maryland.
According to the LWV website, the suit alleges that the new policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the First Amendment in six ways. First, the policy was adopted and implemented without the proper rulemaking procedure, which includes providing the public with notice and accepting comments. Second, the policy change was “arbitrary and capricious,” lacking a reasoned factual basis. Third, banning third-party voter registration organizations violated free speech protections as guaranteed by the First Amendment. Fourth, the ban violated First Amendment associational rights. Fifth and sixth, the policy further violated the APA because it constituted agency action contrary to free speech and associational rights under the First Amendment.
LWVSA will continue to provide election information and assistance at judicial ceremonies and support new citizens’ civic education.
Photo courtesy City of San Antonio.