Trump Admin Escalates Noncitizen Voting Crackdown, Threatens Election Officials Across All 50 States With Criminal Charges

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 10: Attendees listen to Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) speaking at a "Only Citizens Vote" bus tour rally on passing the SAVE Act at Upper Senate Park outside the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, would mandate proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, a move supporters argue is needed to secure voter rolls while opponents say it risks blocking eligible Americans from casting ballots. (Credit: Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The Justice Department has warned election officials in all 50 states that they could face criminal liability if they knowingly allow non-U.S. citizens to remain on voter rolls or cast ballots, escalating President Donald Trump's push to impose stricter voting rules despite evidence that noncitizen voting in federal elections is rare.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the department's Civil Rights Division, sent letters Tuesday asking state officials to explain within five days how they plan to comply with federal law and prevent noncitizens from voting.