The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has significantly revised its policies to prevent illegal migrants who voted in elections from obtaining U.S. citizenship and initiate deportation procedures. Under the new guidelines, individuals who attempted to vote or registered to vote without proper authorization will be deemed to have failed the good moral character (GMC) requirement, thereby disqualifying them from applying for citizenship. This policy update follows President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at preserving the integrity of American elections by ensuring that only eligible voters are registered.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser, speaking to Fox News Digital, emphasized the administration’s stance on election fraud, stating that illegal voting undermines the will of the American people and threatens the legitimacy of the nation’s elections. The policy change marks a continuation of Trump’s immigration reform agenda, which has faced multiple legal challenges. For instance, a lawsuit filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general and two federal judges in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., blocked certain sections of the executive order, particularly those concerning voter ID requirements. Nevertheless, the Trump administration remains committed to implementing these measures, as highlighted by its ongoing efforts to tighten immigration rules and enhance deportation procedures.
The new policy will also apply to those who attempted to obtain passports or drivers’ licenses illegally, as these actions can now trigger deportation proceedings. This includes a range of activities from attempting to register to vote to using false documents to prove one’s citizenship. Fox News Digital obtained an internal leadership guidance memo that will be sent to USCIS employees, outlining the steps for implementation and clarifying that those who fail to meet GMC will be issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) and be referred for criminal prosecution. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported significant progress in removing illegal migrants from the country, with over 359,000 arrests and more than 332,000 removals since the start of the Trump administration.
These changes reflect a broader effort by the Trump administration to address concerns about election integrity and immigration control, particularly in the context of increased migration and potential threats to national security. The policy’s impact is expected to be far-reaching, as it affects both immigration enforcement and the legal processes surrounding voter registration and citizenship applications. Despite legal hurdles, the administration continues to push forward with its immigration reform agenda, demonstrating a firm political stance on border control and election security.