Newly elected state Rep. Raquel Terán faces citizenship challenge in lawsuit

PHOENIX — Newly elected state Rep. Raquel Terán said she was served with court documents Thursday requiring she prove her citizenship.

This is not the first time Terán has faced a citizenship challenge from Alice Novoa-Benson, who filed a suit questioning Terán’s citizenship when Terán first ran for office in 2012, as well as the current lawsuit.

“What’s interesting is she knows perfectly well that I’m a U.S. citizen,” Terán told KTAR News 92.3 FM Friday.

“Last time when she filed a lawsuit against me she was at the courts where I had to take my birth certificate, so it’s unknown why she would want to move forward in doing this again,” she said.

Media Alert: Rep-Elect @RaquelTeran to address frivolous citizenship challenge (again). 1 pm TODAY at AZ State Capitol Rose Garden. pic.twitter.com/fCNzMTN539

— Arizona House Democrats (@AZHouseDems) November 9, 2018

Novoa-Benson has made similar accusations about another Latina politician in Arizona, according to Terán.

Terán said her court hearing is scheduled for next week, and she and her lawyers are exploring all possibilities, including getting the case dismissed.

Terán said having to prove her citizenship in this way is a burden.

She said she wants to put it behind her as quickly as possible so she can focus on her district’s priorities: education, jobs, immigration and healthcare.

“I was born in Douglas, I love this country, I love this state, and I’m very proud to now be a representative-elect for constituents in LD 30,” she said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report. 

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