White House Address on New Jersey Noncitizen Voter Registration
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt recently underscored the administration’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prevent illegal voting by noncitizens. She referenced a letter from the Secretary of Homeland Security urging states like New Jersey to take action in removing noncitizens from their voter registration lists.
On Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats over issues pertaining to election security. This followed the arrest of a noncitizen in Michigan for illegal voting, which he described as part of a growing threat to the integrity of U.S. elections. “From New Jersey to Michigan, there’s increasing evidence that illegal aliens are registering and participating in elections,” Johnson remarked in a post on X, suggesting that Democrats are aware of this and prefer open borders while opposing voter ID laws. He labeled this as a “clear and present danger” to both elections and the republic, asserting that every American deserves secure elections and affirming Republicans’ commitment to making that a reality.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel responded to Johnson’s comments following charges against five noncitizens who allegedly voted in the 2024 presidential election, one of whom included an American accused of registering their noncitizen spouse. These charges arose from an investigation regarding 38 cases of suspected voting misconduct stretching from 2009 to 2025. Among these cases, six have resulted in criminal charges, 10 were dropped, and 22 remain under review.
In a statement, Nessel asserted her office’s serious approach to prosecuting election crimes and emphasized the importance of investigating claims of noncitizen voting. She mentioned that more than 5.7 million ballots were cast in Michigan during the November 2024 election, and while illegal voting by noncitizens is recognized as rare by state officials, the investigations continue.
As discussions about illegal voting gain traction, it’s evident that this issue has captured significant attention. President Donald Trump has made preventing illegal voting a priority during his administration, signing executive orders in March 2025 and 2026 aimed at enhancing citizenship verification in federal elections.
New charges have emerged, including one against Robert Piva, a 67-year-old permanent resident, accused of attempting to vote with a fraudulent registration. Michael Akioya, also a permanent resident, faces allegations over false statements on absentee voter applications during the election, while Alondra Harker, a term resident, has been charged with misdemeanor fraudulent registration.
Nessel’s office has also closed several cases due to the absence of evidence regarding criminal intent and has pointed out that delays in federal cooperation have impacted the investigation process. Despite the complex nature of determining someone’s status as a national, she emphasized the need for clear communication and cooperation from federal agencies.
Overall, the scrutiny over voter registration and related laws continues amidst concerns over election integrity. The situation remains dynamic, and as investigations progress, it’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
