Thousands of noncitizens have been removed from voter rolls across multiple states, prompting lawmakers to seek answers from the Department of Justice.
As reported by Fox News, 73 lawmakers, led by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland expressing deep concern over reports of noncitizens registering to vote.
The lawmakers are demanding information on the DOJ's efforts to enforce laws prohibiting noncitizen voting, especially with the 2024 Presidential Election less than 34 days away. The letter highlights the urgency of the matter, citing the DOJ's lack of response to a previous inquiry made on July 12, 2024.
The group of lawmakers is requesting specific information from the DOJ, including the number of aliens prosecuted under laws related to noncitizen voting, how the department handles allegations of noncitizen voting or registration, and the steps it takes to prevent such practices.
Republicans have repeatedly expressed concerns about voter fraud, with former President Trump being a vocal advocate for stricter measures to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. The recent influx of immigrants across the southern border has further fueled these concerns.
In August, Republican lawmakers pushed for the SAVE Act to be attached to a spending bill extension. This act would require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person when registering individuals to vote and mandate the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls.
The letter cites recent efforts by states to address the issue of noncitizen voting. Virginia's attorney general announced the identification of 6,303 noncitizens on its voter rolls in 2022 and 2023. Similarly, Texas removed 6,500 noncitizens from its voter rolls, with 1,930 of those individuals having a history of voting.
Senator Hagerty and Representative Biggs, along with their colleagues, stated in the letter:
Clearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent, but also has the potential to reduce Americans' trust and confidence in election results.
The lawmakers emphasize the importance of addressing this issue to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and preserve public trust in election outcomes.
The Department of Justice has taken some action related to noncitizen voting. Last month, it announced charges against an illegal immigrant for stealing a U.S. citizen's identity to vote in multiple elections and fraudulently obtain a U.S. passport.
However, the lawmakers argue that more needs to be done. They are seeking information on the steps the department is taking to prosecute noncitizens registered to vote in the 2024 election. The DOJ has confirmed receipt of the letter but has not yet provided a detailed response.
In a related development, the DOJ recently sued Alabama, alleging that the state removed voters who had been issued noncitizen identification numbers from its election rolls too close to Election Day. The agency argues that this action violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which requires states to complete any changes to voter registration lists no later than 90 days before federal elections.
The issue of noncitizen voting remains a contentious topic in American politics. With thousands of noncitizens removed from voter rolls and lawmakers demanding answers, the Department of Justice faces pressure to address concerns about election integrity. A comprehensive review of current practices and implementation of robust safeguards could help restore public confidence in the electoral process.
