An internal Department of Homeland Security email obtained by NPR has sparked questions regarding the agency’s investigation of noncitizen voters on state rolls. The communication, sent last year, contained a 78-page document listing counties and states providing election materials in languages other than English, accompanied by a Department of Justice checklist for prosecuting voter-related offenses. The email was released following a lawsuit filed by the Democratic National Committee seeking public records about potential federal election interference.
Democratic officials express concern that administration efforts to identify noncitizens on voter rolls could intimidate eligible voters and suppress turnout in midterm elections, despite audits indicating such fraud occurs rarely. The email’s heavy redactions obscure its original purpose, with DHS describing it as a subordinate sharing preliminary thoughts with leadership. When questioned by NPR, DHS stated that individuals voting illegally should not evade prosecution based on language barriers, while denying plans to target polling locations.
The document has fueled existing anxieties about possible federal presence at polls. Civil rights groups have filed lawsuits to prevent DHS deployment of federal officers at polling sites, a practice that would violate federal law. The DNC filed Freedom of Information Act requests across federal agencies investigating whether plans existed to deploy federal agents or personnel at polling places and election offices.
Administration officials have made statements that intensified these concerns. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could serve warrants at polling places, while President Trump indicated willingness to take “anything necessary” to ensure election integrity. Recent polling from the University of California San Diego found approximately 40 percent of voters believe ICE agents will be present at their polling locations, with voters of color expressing significantly greater fears about immigration enforcement affecting their voting participation.
Voting officials warn that such rhetoric could suppress turnout regardless of actual enforcement activity. Denver’s top voting official, included in the multilingual jurisdictions list, emphasized that federal law prohibits targeting voters based on language while urging voters not to be intimidated. The DNC continues litigating to obtain additional federal records regarding election security plans.
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