DHS directs ICE to deport illegal immigrants who vote in American elections under new directive
The Department of Homeland Security has instructed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport undocumented immigrants who vote in U.S. elections.
A Monday letter to ICE leadership from DHS General Counsel James Percival calls for stricter enforcement, including deportation, against people in the country illegally who fraudulently cast ballots. The Immigration and Nationality Act already mandates removal of noncitizens who illegally vote in U.S. elections. DHS also said illegal voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship often “go hand-in-hand.”
“Free, fair, and honest elections are without question,” Percival said, citing 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.” He added that illegal voting by noncitizens “dilutes the votes of American citizens and undermines our democracy” and “must have consequences.”
The directive is meant to further implement policies tied to President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” which outlines changes to voter registration, voting machine standards, and mail-in ballot rules, with an emphasis on preventing noncitizen voting and reducing errors.
In recent months, several undocumented immigrants have been charged with illegal voting. In March, Mauritanian citizen Mahady Sacko was charged in connection with voter fraud for allegedly voting in every presidential election since 2008, authorities said. In May, four noncitizens were charged with allegedly voting in multiple federal elections and making false statements on citizenship applications. Noncitizens are legally barred from voting in state and federal elections.
The directive follows an August 2025 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy update that bars green card holders who have voted or registered to vote from obtaining citizenship.
