A coalition of civil rights groups and voting rights advocates are suing to block Donald Trump’s administration from deploying immigration enforcement agents to polling places on Election Day.
The administration has not explicitly outlined plans to send armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to the polls, but top officials have repeatedly suggested that federal agents could show up to respond to “threats” or make an immigration arrest.
But that’s illegal, according to Thursday’s lawsuit, which was joined by the city of Denver. Under federal law, the only reason federal agents or the U.S. military can show up to polling places is to “repel armed enemies of the United States,” the lawsuit states.
“The specter of armed officers at polling places threatens the freedom of this upcoming election,” according to the complaint.
They’re legally allowed to racially profile. How could they not interfere by showing up if anyone non-white comes to vote? They’ve harassed, detained, arrested, and deported US citizens. Think a bunch of white citizens open carrying around the perimeter would keep their attention away from the polls?