The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a coordinated voter fraud investigation in at least nine states, targeting potential noncitizen voting and irregularities in voter registration databases, according to internal Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) guidance and statements from DHS officials.

Explainer Election Integrity in America: Safeguarding Voter Trust and Ballot Security

The probe underscores heightened scrutiny of election integrity as federal officials cite risks from noncitizen registration and persistent concerns over the accuracy of voter rolls.

DHS officials said the HSI division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is conducting the "voter fraud surge" through mid-October in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. The operation involves pursuing investigative leads, conducting field interviews, and supporting prosecutorial review, according to internal guidance cited by CNN and confirmed by DHS.

A DHS spokesperson told The Federalist that HSI "is actively rooting out and investigating election fraud wherever it can be found" and is "committed to restoring integrity to our election systems and ensuring that American citizens and only American citizens are electing American leaders."

"Our message to aliens who vote in American elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face the consequences — including criminal charges and deportation."

— DHS spokesperson

The surge comes as congressional Republicans intensify oversight of state election practices, particularly in New Jersey, where Gov. Mikie Sherrill acknowledged that 6,600 noncitizens appeared on voter rolls in 2023 and 2024, with hundreds reportedly casting ballots in federal elections. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s Oversight Subcommittee, said he is working with the full Judiciary Committee to obtain records from New Jersey’s election division and is prepared to issue subpoenas if necessary, according to statements to Fox News and chrissmith.house.gov.

Recent Voter Fraud Cases

DHS cited multiple recent arrests and prosecutions involving noncitizen voting. In March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Mauritanian national accused of illegally voting in seven federal elections since 2008, as detailed in a DHS press release. Last month, a Colombian national was sentenced to three years in federal prison for identity theft used to vote in several elections, including the 2020 presidential race, according to Ice Investigation Leads Sentencing Illegal Alien Who Committed Identity Theft — dhs.gov. On Tuesday, Shonda Lou Barnes, city manager for Mannsville, Oklahoma, was arrested on voter fraud charges, DHS told The Federalist.

Since April 2025, DHS says more than 24,000 cases have been flagged by the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program as potential noncitizens on voter rolls, all referred to HSI for further investigation.

State-Level Disputes and Congressional Action

The investigation has fueled partisan disputes, especially in New Jersey, where Republican lawmakers have accused Gov. Sherrill of stonewalling efforts to audit voter rolls and address noncitizen voting. Rep. Van Drew said he plans to hold hearings on the issue and is seeking cooperation from Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, who oversees the state’s election division. According to chrissmith.house.gov, House Republicans have escalated their push for answers after what they described as an insufficient response from Sherrill.

Democratic officials have not publicly addressed the latest round of federal investigations or the Republican-led oversight efforts. The St. Louis Post Dispatch editorial board has argued there is "zero evidence or even indication that illegal noncitizens voting virtually ever happens," a claim disputed by DHS and Republican lawmakers.

Voter Roll Integrity Concerns

Election integrity groups and DHS officials have pointed to persistent problems with voter roll maintenance. The Public Interest Legal Foundation reported nearly 95,000 deceased registrants and tens of thousands of duplicate entries on California’s voter rolls last year. PILF President J. Christian Adams said in a press release, “California’s voter roll is riddled with errors. State officials must act to fix these problems before another election cycle passes.”

DHS officials have called for congressional passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID for voting and implement additional measures to secure federal elections. The department spokesperson said, “President Trump has been unequivocal: Nothing is more fundamental than the integrity and security of our elections.”

The coordinated DHS voter fraud initiative is set to continue through mid-October, with further congressional hearings and potential subpoenas expected in the coming weeks.