On Thursday, September 12th, New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 16 other state attorneys general, called for a United States Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into recent raids conducted by the Texas Attorney General’s office. The raids, which took place on August 20th, targeted Latino voting rights organizers, volunteers, and political candidates in the San Antonio area. The action has raised serious concerns about potential civil rights violations.
The Texas raids were led by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who claimed they were part of an investigation into allegations of election fraud during the 2022 election. Despite the search, no charges have been filed. Latino groups, including the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), have criticized the raids, claiming they were attempts to suppress votes and intimidate minority communities.
Among the volunteers targeted was an 80-year-old woman whose home was searched for hours. Agents confiscated her medicine, smartphone, and watch. Manuel Medina, a political consultant, and Lidia Martinez, another elderly volunteer, both had their homes searched and devices seized. Martinez expressed confusion and stated that she had done nothing illegal, asserting her role was solely to help seniors in her community.
New York Attorney General James emphasized the need for the DOJ to investigate the potential infringement on voting rights. “The victims were targeted simply because of their work to increase political participation in the Latino community. We cannot normalize voter intimidation or abusive government interference,” James stated. She argued that the raids were a tactic to intimidate Latino voters and prevent their participation in upcoming elections.
Attorney General Paxton has not responded to inquiries regarding the DOJ investigation request, and the Justice Department has declined to comment. The incident adds to growing concerns over voter suppression in Texas, where civil rights groups continue to challenge actions that may disenfranchise voters.
