League of United Latin American Citizens v. Department of Homeland Security

Under a new policy, the Trump administration is threatening to send armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to polling places to serve warrants or conduct other enforcement activity during the 2026 election season.

Denver, Colorado, filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) unlawful policy. The other parties in the case are the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Common Cause, and UnidosUS. Public Rights Project and Democracy Forward are serving as co-counsel.

The policy directly violates a 150-year-old federal law prohibiting anyone from sending armed federal personnel to polling places. Such actions interfere with state and local election administration. 

According to Colorado’s state election code, only election officials, authorized election observers, and voters are permitted within polling places. Any effort by federal agents to enter these areas would breach election security requirements and potentially disrupt election officials’ ability to conduct the election.

Additionally, the presence of armed officers at polling places or 24-hour drop boxes is likely to intimidate voters. We have seen the chaos and fear that ICE activity in our communities has already caused. This should not be replicated at the polls. Because of this unlawful policy, election officials will be forced to spend significant time, energy, and resources preparing for potential ICE activity during the election and ensuring voters are not disenfranchised.

Eligible voters should not have to fear interrogation, detention, or family separation simply for casting a ballot or helping their neighbor do so. 

Read the lawsuit.