ICE’s Presence at Polls Records Challenge
Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
A pro-voting lawsuit seeking to force the Trump administration to provide documents regarding any plans to have ICE agents at polling places.
Background
The Democracy Forward Foundation (DFF) filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking materials from the Trump administration about the potential deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at polling places during the midterms.
DFF submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in April. The pro-voting organization alleges that ICE has acknowledged the requests, but has failed to produce the documents or explain why it has not provided them within the time period mandated by law for FOIA requests. Additionally, DFF alleges that ICE wrongfully refused to grant their requests under an expedited process, which prioritizes matters that involve widespread and growing media interest and that make people question governmental integrity. DFF is asking the court to order ICE to promptly produce the documents before the midterm elections.
Why It Matters
Leading up to the midterms, officials throughout the Trump administration have publicly suggested ICE could be deployed at polling places, despite a federal law prohibiting the presence of armed federal officers at the polls. ICE agents’ presence at voting sites could intimidate lawful voters from participating in the election. This lawsuit is similar to a suit filed by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) seeking to compel the Trump administration to provide records on any potential plans to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election materials before the midterms are certified.
Latest Updates
- July 27, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.