The Trump administration is barring non-governmental groups from registering new citizens to vote at their naturalization ceremonies.
Immigration officials argue the decades-old practice is too sporadic, and that the job of ensuring these groups are nonpartisan places a burden on their agency.
Celia Canavan, executive director of the League of Women Voters Massachusetts, said the move sends a chilling message to new Americans fleeing undemocratic nations.
“To have that right suppressed from the minute they become a new citizen – it’s terrifying,” said Canavan. “It’s a real, real dark day in democracy.”
Officials say the change will not impact new citizens’ access to voter registration forms, which can still be offered by local and state election officials. Canavan said it’s just the latest attack on immigrant communities and their constitutional rights.
The League of Women voters registered nearly 50,000 new citizens last year at naturalization ceremonies nationwide. In Massachusetts, volunteers with more than 40 chapters often coordinate their efforts with local election officials.
Canavan said they appreciate that partnership and the League’s ability to step in when resources are limited.
“This relationship isn’t just the league coming in and registering voters,” said Canavan. “These are deep relationships with our elected officials – with our town government that allows for that elections office to take some weight off the work that they’re doing.”
Voting rights groups are calling on immigration officials to reverse the new policy. They say Republicans are making it harder for all Americans to vote by working to limit voter registration drives and impose strict voter ID requirements.
In Massachusetts, new citizens can register to vote using a paper form, which can be turned in at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, sent through the mail, or delivered in-person to a local town clerk.
MA voting groups banned from naturalization ceremonies was originally published by the Public News Service and is republished with permission.