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Politics · October 22, 2026

Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in 9 states

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On October 21, 2026, U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from conducting election-related field operations and interviews targeting suspected U.S. citizens in nine states. The states affected are California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. The ruling follows allegations from voting rights advocates and nursing unions that the Trump administration's enforcement surge, which reportedly involved agents questioning residents at their homes about their immigration and voting status, constituted illegal voter intimidation under the Voting Rights Act. The injunction remains in effect until polls close on Election Day, though the judge stayed the order until 5 p.m. on October 23 to allow for a potential federal appeal.

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Reported across the spectrum

  • U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín issued a preliminary injunction on October 21, 2026.
  • The order blocks DHS election-related field operations in nine states: CA, CT, GA, MO, NV, NY, PA, WA, and WI.
  • The injunction specifically applies to operations involving individuals suspected or known to be U.S. citizens.
  • The restrictions are in place until polls close on Election Day, November 3.
  • The judge stayed the injunction until Friday afternoon (October 23) to allow for an appeal.
  • The ruling was based on findings that federal actions likely violated Voting Rights Act protections against voter intimidation.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Judge Martínez-Olguín noted the government relied on data 'full of errors' that led to the intimidation of voter assistance groups.
  • CBS News reported that Homeland Security Investigations had posted photos and videos of agents approaching homes in multiple states.
  • The Department of Justice is concurrently suing California to prevent the counting of ballots from approximately 20,000 suspected noncitizens.
  • Plaintiffs include the California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, the City and County of San Francisco, Santa Clara County, and Voto Latino Foundation.
  • Studies indicate that noncitizen voting rarely occurs.

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