The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instructed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport undocumented immigrants who participate in American elections. This decision was communicated in a letter from DHS General Counsel James Percival, emphasizing strict penalties for fraudulent voting activities by individuals residing unlawfully in the United States.
The Immigration and Nationality Act enforces the deportation of those who vote illegally in U.S. elections. DHS has highlighted the frequent ties between illegal voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship. Such actions are viewed as a threat to the integrity of American democracy.
The importance of free, fair, and honest elections is without question. Echoing the words of President Trump, ‘the right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election,’ Percival stated.
Percival’s directive supports the implementation of policies resembling President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order aimed at maintaining the integrity of American elections. The order demands changes in voter registration, voting machine standards, and mail-in ballot regulations to prevent non-citizen voting and reduce errors.
In recent incidents, several undocumented immigrants faced charges for illegal voting in U.S. elections. For instance, Mauritanian citizen Mahady Sacko has been accused of voting in every presidential election since 2008. Moreover, in May, four noncitizens were charged with illegal voting in multiple federal elections and making false statements during citizenship applications. These activities contravene legal stipulations that restrict noncitizens from participating in state and federal elections.
This directive is in line with an August 2025 update from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which revised its policy manual to prevent green card holders who vote or register to vote from obtaining citizenship.
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