President Donald Trump and his political allies are intensifying claims about voting by noncitizens as the November midterm elections approach, using the issue to advocate for stricter voting verification measures. The administration has promoted a Census Bureau report alleging that approximately 24,000 noncitizens voted illegally in 2020, the election Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has claimed without providing supporting evidence that roughly 250,000 noncitizens might be registered to vote in four states: California, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The Trump administration is pressing for multiple policy changes related to the issue, including directing the U.S. Postal Service to send mail ballots only to voters verified as citizens and urging Republican senators to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require documented proof of citizenship to register. A Republican candidate for Maine governor also confirmed plans to request that federal immigration enforcement agents be stationed at polling places. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that evidence of noncitizen voting is “piling up,” though voting by noncitizens remains extremely rare and constitutes a felony offense carrying potential deportation.
Election experts and state officials have raised significant concerns about the reliability of the administration’s claims. Methodology questions have been raised regarding the Census Bureau report, with academics noting that the analysis may have produced false positives through name-matching errors or outdated database records. State officials in the four named by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed skepticism about his allegations. Pennsylvania’s secretary of state, a Republican, reported that federal officials acknowledged lacking high confidence that individuals referenced in the initial letter were actually improperly registered noncitizens. New Jersey’s disclosure revealed approximately 6,600 improperly registered noncitizens from a motor vehicle system error, with fewer than 400 having voted.
Critics argue the administration’s focus on noncitizen voting is designed to lay groundwork for challenging election results the president dislikes. Democracy Project director Alexandra Chandler characterized the claims as “deceitful” and warned they are being used “as an excuse for disruptions” and potential result denials. Election security expert Justin Levitt suggested the Census Bureau report represents an “empty manila folder” the administration could use to delegitimize elections. Trump’s opponents contend his emphasis on the issue is motivated by retaining Republican power rather than election integrity, while supporters maintain stricter verification measures would enhance electoral security.
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