(HorizonPost.com) – A conservative legal organization is urging election officials in all 50 states to use existing federal law to prevent non-citizens from illegally voting in US elections.
In a June 24 press release, America First Legal announced that it had sent letters to the governors, attorneys general, and chief election officials in each state outlining how they could obtain information from the Department of Homeland Security on immigration status or citizenship for “any purpose authorized by law.”
The group argues in the letters that ensuring the integrity of elections and removing ineligible voters from the registration rolls are both purposes “authorized by law.”
In its press release, America First Legal explained that with the skyrocketing increase in illegal immigration since Joe Biden took office and concerns about non-citizens voting in elections, the letters were aimed at urging state officials to use federal law to safeguard the integrity of the November election.
The two federal laws America First Legal cites are 8 U.S.C. § 1373(c) and 8 U.S.C. § 1644.
8 U.S.C. § 1373(c) requires the Immigration and Naturalization Service to respond to inquiries from local, state, or federal agencies who seek to verify the citizenship or immigration status of an individual within their jurisdiction.
8 U.S.C. § 1644 prevents the Immigration and Naturalization Service from restricting any local, state, or federal agency from requesting or receiving the information.
Federal law limits voting in federal elections to US citizens only and prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote.
Under federal law, states are also required to maintain their voter rolls, including removing ineligible voters.
Given that, America First Legal urged state officials to submit requests to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to verify the citizenship of those registered to vote in instances where they have reason to believe that a registered voter is not a US citizen.
America First Legal President Stephen Miller said in the press release that President Biden has been “importing criminal migrants” en masse while “giving them social security numbers” and voter registration forms. He said the administration has refused any efforts to verify the citizenship of registered voters and accused the administration of attempting to “sabotage the 2024 election” by allowing illegals to vote.
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