Denver and Latino groups sue Trump administration to block armed ICE agents at polling sites

The city of Denver, along with multiple Latino civil rights groups, filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the Trump administration. The suit seeks to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from serving immigration warrants at polling sites.

While Mullin has denied that ICE would monitor voting booths this election, he stated that agents have the right to be present if there is a "threat to that polling place" or if "we're serving a warrant." Denver argues that even this violates 18 U.S. Code § 592, a Civil War-era law that prohibits armed forces from patrolling polling locations.

"The right to vote, and to do so without fear of intimidation, is fundamental to our democracy and to being an American," Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said in a press release. "Stationing ICE agents near polling places is only meant to scare people and suppress votes. We'll fight tooth and nail to prevent it."

Federal agents have already been reported at polling places in:

• New York
• California
• Texas

These incidents come as Trump continues his attempt to use baseless claims of widespread voter fraud as a means of fully controlling—or postponing—the midterm elections.

"The presence of federal force at the polls interferes with the smooth administration of elections at the local level," the lawsuit reads. "It disrupts voting and makes it more difficult for state and local election officials and law enforcement to do their jobs by making polling places spaces of confrontation."

Other parties in the lawsuit noted that the presence of federal agents would have a chilling effect on Latino voters, potentially preventing many from showing up at all.

"Sending armed ICE officers to polling places is not immigration enforcement — it is voter suppression, plain and simple," UnidosUS President & CEO Janet Murguía said. "All Americans—including Latino voters—have a constitutional right to cast their ballot without fear of interrogation, detention, or family separation. This case is about protecting voters, preserving confidence in our elections, and ensuring that every eligible voter can participate free from intimidation."

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Missouri Secretary of State Relents on Congressional Maps After Court Contempt Ruling

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins relented on the state's congressional maps Thursday, ending weeks of election season chaos sparked by a scheme to secure another Republican seat in the House.

"Following the United States Supreme Court's stay, the only governing court order in effect is from the Missouri Supreme Court. In accordance with that order, my Office is directing local election authorities to use the 2022 congressional map," Hoskins said in a statement.

The order came hours after a contentious hearing before the Missouri Supreme Court that weighed whether Hoskins should be held in contempt of court. By Thursday afternoon, the court found that Hoskins "was in CONTEMPT" of their decision, but he would avoid punishment because his decision to use the 2022 map had purged the civil contempt.

Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the state needed to use its original maps drawn up in 2022, and could not use maps created in 2025 at Donald Trump's behest (also known as the H1 B map)—even though state officials had used the new map during the August primary. The court held that the 2022 map was the only legally viable legislative map, since the 2025 map was still pending due to a referendum petition filed in December.

Hoskins did not comply with the court order. Instead, he sought emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court, though Justice Brett Kavanaugh chose to reject the request on Tuesday.

Matters then became more complicated. That same day, U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark—a Trump appointee—issued a temporary restraining order.