A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to restore access to federal citizenship data for Florida, Texas, Iowa, and Ohio. The ruling follows a legal agreement the Trump administration signed with Florida last year.
The decision directly contradicts an earlier order by a judge in Washington, D.C., which required the data access to be suspended. The Washington judge had raised concerns about the legality of sharing the information.
Florida officials argued the citizenship data is essential for verifying voter rolls and preventing noncitizens from registering. Texas, Iowa, and Ohio joined Florida’s legal effort to regain access.
D.H.S. had previously provided the states with access to a federal database that checks citizenship status. That access was halted after a separate lawsuit challenged the arrangement on privacy grounds.
The judge in Florida sided with the states, noting the signed agreement with the Trump administration gave them a legal right to the information. The ruling does not resolve the broader legal questions surrounding data sharing.
The Justice Department has not yet announced whether it will appeal the Florida ruling. The Washington case over the data suspension continues separately in federal court.
Critics argue the data sharing could lead to voter intimidation or errors in removing eligible voters. Supporters say it is a necessary tool to ensure election integrity.
The four states can now resume using the citizenship data for voter list maintenance. The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between state election officials and federal privacy protections.
