From Cbsnews · · 1m 20s
Judge blocks DHS door-knocking voter checks
A federal judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security's practice of questioning people about immigration status and voting likely violates the Voting Rights Act.
In brief
A federal judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security's practice of questioning people about immigration status and voting likely violates the Voting Rights Act. A federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security from conducting door-to-door voter investigations in nine states, finding the practice…
Judge halts DHS voter investigations
U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin ruled late Wednesday that the Department of Homeland Security's door-knocking operations likely violate the Voting Rights Act by intimidating legal voters.
What DHS was doing
Homeland Security Investigations agents approached homes in multiple states asking people about their immigration status and whether they had voted in recent elections, documented by CBS News investigation.
The court's order
Martinez-Olguin ordered federal immigration authorities to stop elections-related field operations in nine states including California and New York if they involve people officials know or suspect are U.S. citizens.
Judge found flawed targeting process
Martinez-Olguin pointed to the high likelihood of error in the government's process for assembling a list of potential targets, which includes data from government agencies and commercially available data.
“DHS built its lists on bad data, never checked how often it was wrong, and recklessly sent agents to people's homes weeks before an election.”
Order stays until Friday appeal deadline
The ruling remains in effect until polls close on Election Day. Martinez-Olguin stayed the order until five p.m. on Friday, giving the government time to seek appeal.
The main idea
A federal judge blocked the Department of Homeland Security from conducting door-to-door voter investigations in nine states, finding the practice likely intimidates legal voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act.
