National Council of Jewish Women GNO Celebrates Legal Win for Voter Registration of Naturalized Citizens

National Council of Jewish Women and other NGOs Celebrate Legal Win for Voter Registration of Naturalized Citizens

New Orleans, LA – Tuesday, August 4 – The Greater New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), along with other NGOs including the League of Women Voters (LWV), has won an important victory in its legal challenge to a Federal Executive Order which  prevented these organizations from one of their core activities – registering voters at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalizations ceremonies.

This case challenged an Executive Order adopted in August 2025 that barred nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from providing voter registration services at USCIS administrative naturalization ceremonies (the “Voter Assistance Ban”). The District Court of Maryland concluded that voter registration assistance is an activity protected by the First Amendment.

“We typically registered 30 to 50 new citizens to vote following each naturalization ceremony at the USCIS, so I’m proud that NCJW was brave enough to stand up to this administration,” said Sylvia Finger, NCJW voter mobilization chair as well as chair of voter services at LWV-NO. “There aren’t many chances to celebrate positive news, so let’s enjoy it!”

This legal action was taken to ensure that newly naturalized citizens have every opportunity to make their voices heard and participate in the election process of their new home. This legal win will allow NCJW and other NGOs to return to naturalization ceremonies, register new voters, and cheer on new citizens to show that they are welcome members of our democracy.

For more information about NCJW and its programs, visit www.ncjwneworleans.org.