Concerns Arise Over DHS’s Examination of Multilingual Voting Jurisdictions

An internal email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sparked concerns about the agency’s efforts to identify non-U.S. citizens in state voter rolls. This email, obtained by NPR, included a 78-page document listing counties and states that provide election materials in non-English languages. The email’s release followed a lawsuit by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) seeking public records. Democrats worry the Trump administration’s actions might intimidate eligible voters and decrease turnout in the midterms.

The email shared a list of jurisdictions with multilingual voting materials alongside a Department of Justice checklist for voter-related prosecutions. Despite prior audits showing rare cases of noncitizen voting, DHS allocated resources for this investigation. The document included no enforcement activities at specified locations. A heavily redacted description labeled the email as a staff member sharing initial thoughts and opinions with leadership.

DHS’s statement emphasized that illegal voters shouldn’t escape prosecution due to limited English proficiency. Recent weeks have seen federal charges against individuals for illegal voting. Concerns over potential voter intimidation from the Trump administration led civil rights groups to file lawsuits to prevent federal officers from being deployed to polling places. These lawsuits follow NPR’s report on the latest legal actions.

The DNC pursued Freedom of Information Act requests to detect any government plans to have federal agents at voting locations during upcoming elections. Dan Freeman, DNC’s Litigation Director, noted the particular concern over targeting multilingual jurisdictions. Freeman inferred that prosecuting federal election crimes in these areas might be considered.

DHS denied any planned operations targeting polling locations but statements from officials fueled apprehension. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin hinted ICE agents could serve warrants at polling sites, and President Trump mentioned possible actions for ensuring ‘honest’ elections.

The origin of the multilingual jurisdictions list is not specified but was part of a December 19 email from a DHS acting director to Rob Law, undersecretary for strategy, policy and plans. The Voting Rights Act mandates that areas with over 5% non-English-speaking citizens provide voting materials in those languages. The document included both public information and state policies.

Public apprehension over potential federal intervention affects voter sentiment. A University of California San Diego poll indicated 40% of voters fear ICE presence at polls, crossing party lines but more significantly affecting voters of color. Denver’s Chief Voting Official Paul López, a lawsuit plaintiff seeking to block federal agents, criticized these tactics as harmful to democracy. Denver, offering multilingual materials, represents a city where over 30% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.

López reassured voters, stating federal laws protect against targeting based on language. He urged voters not to be intimidated by tactics described as scare tactics and affirmed the democratic process will proceed unperturbed.