DHS Orders Deportation for Undocumented Immigrants Who Vote Illegally

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a directive to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aimed at enforcing deportation for undocumented immigrants who participate in American elections illegally. A letter from DHS General Counsel James Percival was sent to ICE leadership instructing the agency to impose stricter penalties, including deportation, on individuals residing unlawfully in the United States who engage in fraudulent voting.

The Immigration and Nationality Act mandates the removal of aliens who vote illegally in American elections. DHS has emphasized that illegal voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship often occur together. Percival stated, “The importance of free, fair, and honest elections is without question. Illegal voting by aliens dilutes the votes of American citizens and undermines our democracy. It must have consequences.”

The directive aligns with similar policies championed by President Donald Trump in his March 2025 executive order, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” This order outlines significant changes to voter registration processes, voting machine standards, and rules governing mail-in ballots, focusing on preventing non-citizen voting and reducing errors within the system.

In recent months, several undocumented immigrants have been charged with illegally voting in U.S. elections. One such case involved Mauritanian citizen Mahady Sacko, who was charged with voter fraud for allegedly participating in every presidential election since 2008. Further charges were filed in May against four noncitizens accused of voting illegally in multiple federal elections and making false statements during their U.S. citizenship applications.

This directive follows an August 2025 update by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which revised its policy manual to exclude green card holders who have voted or registered to vote from obtaining citizenship.