DHS Alerts States to Potential Noncitizen Voter Registrations

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has notified election officials in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania about the possible registration of noncitizens as voters. The preliminary review suggests that over 256,000 noncitizens might be registered to vote across these states, based on letters obtained by Fox News Digital.

According to the DHS letters sent to these states, Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that publicly available voter registration records were compared with federal immigration data. This comparison led to the discovery of thousands of potential matches. The letters request state election officials to collaborate with the DHS in verifying identities before taking action.

The breakdown estimates indicate that California might have as many as 190,832 non-citizens registered to vote. New Jersey could have around 35,152, Nevada might have 15,903, and Pennsylvania could have about 14,576. In more detail, the correspondence reveals the presence of 81,336 registrants in California, 19,497 in New Jersey, 8,576 in Nevada, and 8,594 in Pennsylvania whose personal details match those of noncitizens in DHS records.

Many non-citizens are legally issued Social Security numbers. These include lawful permanent residents, individuals authorized to work in the United States, and specific visa holders. DHS has utilized Social Security numbers alongside other identifiers to match voter registration records with federal immigration records.

The findings have been classified as preliminary. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stressed the importance of collaborative identity verification as the most efficient approach to ensure accuracy. Federal immigration laws will allow DHS to provide necessary records to assist states in verifying voter roll eligibility.

Mullin highlighted the need for ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections. He noted that allowing a single non-citizen vote cancels that of a citizen, emphasizing the protection of election integrity. While states manage voter registration rolls, the federal government holds the immigration records necessary for citizenship verification.

The letters encourage secretaries of state to contact DHS by July 24 for record sharing and assistance with the verification process before upcoming federal elections.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Pennsylvania’s Al Schmidt, New Jersey’s Dale Caldwell, and Nevada’s Francisco Aguilar did not provide immediate responses to Fox News Digital. This request aligns with ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to encourage states to work more closely with federal agencies on election security and voter eligibility.