DHS Identifies Potential Noncitizen Voter Registration Issues Across Four Critical States
More than a quarter million noncitizens – According to correspondence secured by Fox News Digital, the Department of Homeland Security has communicated with election authorities in California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania regarding a preliminary assessment revealing potentially over 256,000 noncitizens registered to cast ballots. The correspondence, consisting of four separate letters issued on Friday, was authored by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and outlines findings from cross-referencing publicly accessible voter registration databases with federal immigration information.
Breakdown of Findings by State
The preliminary analysis suggests significant numbers of potential noncitizen registrations distributed across the four states. California leads with an estimated 190,832 noncitizens potentially registered to vote, followed by New Jersey with 35,152, Nevada with 15,903, and Pennsylvania with 14,576. These figures represent the broader pool of potential matches identified through the comparison process.
When examining specific data points that align, the department identified 81,336 California registrants, 19,497 New Jersey registrants, 8,576 Nevada registrants, and 8,594 Pennsylvania registrants whose names, dates of birth, residential addresses, and Social Security numbers correspond with noncitizen records maintained by DHS. This matching methodology utilized multiple identifiers to strengthen the reliability of the findings.
Methodology and Verification Process
A critical component of the DHS analysis involved Social Security numbers, which serve as one of several identifiers in the matching process. Many noncitizens legally receive Social Security numbers, including lawful permanent residents, individuals authorized to work within the United States, and certain visa holders. This legal framework means that possessing a Social Security number does not automatically indicate U.S. citizenship status.
“The most efficient way to ensure the accuracy of our findings is to work collaboratively on identity verification,” Mullin wrote in the correspondence.
The department emphasized that these findings represent a preliminary review rather than final determinations. DHS has indicated readiness to supply immigration records under federal law to assist states in evaluating whether affected individuals should remain on voter registration lists. The letters request that state secretaries of state reach out to the department by July 24, enabling DHS to commence sharing relevant records and supporting the verification timeline before upcoming federal elections.
Election Integrity Concerns and Administrative Response
Secretary Mullin stressed that maintaining citizen-only voting in federal elections remains fundamental to preserving electoral integrity. He articulated this principle by noting that permitting even a single noncitizen to vote effectively nullifies the vote of one American citizen. The correspondence highlights the complementary relationship between state and federal responsibilities, with states managing voter registration rolls while the federal government maintains the immigration documentation necessary for citizenship verification.
The four state officials contacted include California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt, New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell, and Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar. At the time of reporting, none had provided immediate responses to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the allegations.
Broader Context of Federal-State Cooperation
These letters emerge within the larger framework of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to encourage closer collaboration between states and federal agencies concerning election security and voter eligibility verification. Administration officials argue that granting states access to federal immigration records can significantly enhance the accuracy of voter registration databases nationwide.
The potential scale of the issue—spanning over a quarter-million registrations across four politically significant states—underscores the importance of the verification process. States that choose not to cooperate with federal agencies on election security matters may face subsequent enforcement actions, as DHS has signaled plans for a comprehensive approach to addressing noncompliance.
As the verification timeline progresses toward the July 24 deadline, election officials in all four states will need to determine how to integrate federal immigration data into their existing registration systems. The outcome of this collaborative effort could influence voter roll maintenance practices not only in these four states but potentially across the nation as well.
