(PatriotNews.net) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming federal agencies are blocking efforts to verify the citizenship status of over 450,000 people on Texas voter rolls. Paxton argues that without access to critical data, the state cannot confirm whether these individuals are legally eligible to vote.
Paxton’s lawsuit names the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Jaddou as defendants. Texas officials say they requested citizenship information but were told the only option available is the USCIS’s SAVE program, which the state finds inadequate.
According to Paxton, these 450,000 voters did not use a Texas driver’s license or ID to register, meaning their citizenship was never confirmed during the registration process. Paxton claims this creates a risk of non-citizens illegally voting, though he admits most of the people on the list are likely U.S. citizens.
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson also contacted USCIS, asking for help verifying citizenship. On October 7, Paxton sent a similar letter to Jaddou, insisting that the state needs more tools beyond the SAVE system to confirm voter eligibility. However, Jaddou responded by reiterating that SAVE is the only available system.
The SAVE program allows states to verify citizenship by entering an individual’s name, birthdate, and a unique immigration identifier. However, Texas argues that it doesn’t have access to these identifiers for many voters, making the system impractical. Paxton’s lawsuit claims that federal law unfairly limits states’ ability to require proof of citizenship, complicating efforts to prevent illegal voting.
The federal government charges fees for using the SAVE system, which Texas says it is willing to pay, but these fees are expected to increase significantly over the next three years. Paxton criticized the system as both costly and incomplete, arguing that it makes it difficult for states to maintain accurate voter rolls.
With high-stakes elections on the horizon, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s tight race against Rep. Colin Allred, voter eligibility remains a key issue. While Texas is unlikely to flip blue in the presidential election, ensuring the integrity of its voter rolls remains a priority for Paxton and other state officials.
The DHS has declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying it does not comment on ongoing litigation. However, a spokesperson confirmed that USCIS will continue working with Texas officials through official channels.
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