Texas AFL-CIO Condemns Judge’s Move to Bar Voter Registration at Texas Citizenship Ceremony

News Release

Contacts: Rick Levy,
or Leonard Aguilar or Ed Sills,
(512) 477-6195;
Sills cell: (512) 695-1148

Texas AFL-CIO Condemns Judge’s Move to Bar
Voter Registration at Texas Citizenship Ceremony

  The Texas AFL-CIO strongly condemns a judge’s move barring the League of Women Voters from collecting voter registration cards at a naturalization ceremony in Aldine.

  As reported in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge broke with decades of tradition in denying the nonpartisan organization a space to help new citizens register for their precious right to vote at their earliest moment of eligibility. 

  “The very essence of becoming a citizen is having a voice in your community,” Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said. “This action by Judge Eskridge is a slap in the face to those who have made the long journey to citizenship and undermines our democracy.” 

  “The Texas AFL-CIO is proud to encourage naturalization for all who are eligible. We run a Citizenship Program that helps eligible permanent residents navigate the complex application process. We have seen more than 1,000 participants hand in their voter registration cards at naturalization ceremonies. In fact, we will join with partners and allies in putting on a clinic in Judge Eskridge’s jurisdiction on Saturday, Dec. 3rd.” (https://tinyurl.com/yc3cyhxb)

  “Naturalization ceremonies are among the most beautiful moments in government, a time when Americans welcome hundreds of persons who with open hearts are gaining the critical status of citizenship. Federal judges across the nation have not only blessed the service that the League of Women Voters provides at the ceremonies, but reveled in it – until yesterday.”

  “Voter suppression at the whim of a federal judge should never happen again in any jurisdiction – especially at the sacred celebration of citizenship and democracy.”

  The Texas AFL-CIO is the state labor federation consisting of 240,000 affiliated union members who advocate for working families in Texas.