San Antonio, Texas – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the oldest Latino civil rights organizations in the United States, is calling for a Department of Justice investigation following home raids on several of its members as part of a voter fraud probe by the Texas attorney general’s office.
The raids, conducted in Bexar county, which includes San Antonio, as well as neighboring Frio and Atascosa counties, have raised concerns among LULAC officials. The attorney general’s office has not disclosed details about the investigation or responded to requests for comments.
LULAC President Roman Palomares expressed worries that the searches were meant to intimidate members actively engaged in voter registration efforts. The exact nature of the investigation remains unclear, and no arrests have been made.
One of the affected individuals, Lidia Martinez, an 87-year-old volunteer, recounted a harrowing experience when nine officers arrived at her home at 6 am last Tuesday. They spent hours searching her home, eventually confiscating her laptop, planner, and cellphone. Martinez, who assists seniors with ballot requests, expressed shock at being targeted for alleged fraud.
Texas has stringent regulations around mail-in balloting, allowing only individuals aged 65 and older to request mail-in ballots. Any assistance provided must be documented, and only eligible individuals are permitted to return the ballots.
The Texas attorney general’s office operates a dedicated unit for voter fraud cases, yet it closes few cases despite having a substantial budget. The office’s actions have faced criticism, with previous efforts inflated to create the appearance of uncovering widespread fraud.
As the investigation unfolds, concerns are raised about potential political motivations behind the raids, especially as Republicans have intensified focus on non-citizen voting ahead of upcoming elections.
The situation has sparked discussions around voter integrity and the impact of aggressive investigative tactics on individuals engaging in legitimate civic activities. As the Department of Justice monitors the developments, the fear of voter suppression and intimidation lingers among community members targeted in the raids.