DHS to review cases of US citizens voting before naturalization

The Department of Homeland Security has launched a review targeting US citizens who may have registered to vote or cast ballots prior to becoming naturalized, according to an internal memo obtained by reporters. The initiative, overseen by Homeland Security Investigations’ Identity and Benefit Fraud Unit, is part of the administration’s ongoing effort to enforce federal election laws and investigate potential voter fraud.

The memo instructs HSI offices to examine both open and closed voter fraud cases to identify individuals who voted or registered before obtaining citizenship. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that the effort is an implementation of a March executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which states that voting by non-citizens is a federal felony.

This initiative aligns with broader administration efforts to expand federal oversight of voter registration and potentially revoke citizenship in cases of alleged fraud. While cases of non-citizen voting are statistically rare, officials note that errors on voter rolls do occur, sometimes flagging individuals erroneously. Past reviews in some states, such as Idaho, have resulted in only a small number of cases being referred for federal investigation.

The new review references federal criminal statutes targeting fraudulent voting, requiring that any alleged violation must have been carried out knowingly. The effort builds on previous coordination between the Justice Department and DHS, which has sought access to state voter registration data to cross-check with federal immigration records.

The Justice Department has filed multiple lawsuits against states resisting the release of confidential voter information, including social security and driver’s license numbers. Judges in cases where rulings have been issued have so far rejected the administration’s requests, citing procedural or legal grounds.

The review is part of a larger political push emphasizing election integrity, citizenship verification, and enforcement of voting laws, with officials seeking to ensure compliance at the federal, state, and local levels.