Trump updates USCIS rules: Deportation for green card holders who vote or misrepresent citizenship

(UNITED STATES) Green card holders who voted or tried to vote in U.S. elections now face swift deportation and permanent bars to citizenship under an updated USCIS policy implemented in late August 2025, marking one of the most forceful non‑citizen voting crackdowns in recent memory. The change, announced during President Trump’s second term, directs immigration officers to deny naturalization to lawful permanent residents and begin removal proceedings when evidence shows voting, attempted voter registration, or false claims to U.S. citizenship for any benefit. The agency says the policy is effective immediately, applies nationwide, and can be used when such conduct is discovered during any immigration process — not only during naturalization interviews. Lawsuits are underway, but the administration’s position is that the policy remains in effect while cases move through the courts.

USCIS officials say the revised instructions are clear: any act of non‑citizen voting, attempted voting, registration to vote, or a false claim of U.S. citizenship triggers a finding that the applicant lacks the required “good moral character”, the legal standard for citizenship. The agency will issue a Notice to Appear (NTA), starting deportation proceedings, and may refer cases for criminal prosecution when appropriate. Officers are also directed to screen all applicants for signs of non‑citizen voting and related false claims, including when individuals allegedly claimed to be U.S. citizens to get a driver’s license or when applying for a U.S. passport. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this operational push is part of a broader overhaul of enforcement and eligibility standards that the administration has set as a central priority.

USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said the goal is to prevent “aliens who facilitate or perpetuate illegal voting” from gaining citizenship and to move quickly when violations are found. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has pointed to stepped‑up arrests and removals overall, citing 359,000 arrests and 332,000 removals in the past year as part of the administration’s enforcement strategy, which includes voter fraud among its priorities. While the government has not released a forecast for how many green card holders could be affected by the new screening rules, the agency says increased data‑sharing with state election offices and other federal systems is designed to uncover cases that previously went undetected.

What changed and why it matters

Before these 2025 changes, federal law already made it a deportable offense for non‑citizens to vote in federal elections, and a false claim to citizenship could block citizenship and trigger removal. In practice, however, enforcement often focused on cases with clear evidence of intent or fraud. The current USCIS policy hardens that approach by directing officers to deny and refer for removal when there is evidence of voting‑related violations, regardless of when the conduct occurred.

In short, the agency’s message is that any such conduct may now carry life‑changing immigration consequences for green card holders, even if the act happened years ago and even if the individual believed they were allowed to register.

Policy changes overview

The late August 2025 update to the USCIS policy manual outlines three central actions:

1. Officers must find that a person fails the “good moral character” requirement for naturalization if they:
   • Voted,
   • Tried to vote,
   • Registered to vote, or
   • Falsely claimed citizenship for any benefit or purpose.
2. When such conduct is identified, officers are to deny naturalization and issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) to begin removal proceedings.

3. The policy instructs officers to refer cases for criminal prosecution where applicable.

USCIS says the guidance applies immediately and can be used when conduct is discovered through naturalization interviews or through other means, including data‑sharing with state election agencies.

The March 2025 executive order signed by President Trump, “Preserving And Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” set the stage for the policy shift. It directed DHS to verify citizenship or immigration status for individuals registering to vote or currently on voter rolls. Several Democratic attorneys general — 19 in total — along with civil rights groups, have sued, arguing that parts of the executive order and related measures exceed presidential authority and cross constitutional lines. Some provisions, particularly those connected to voter ID rules and presidential authority over election processes, have been enjoined by federal courts. But the administration maintains that the USCIS policy focused on non‑citizen voting and deportation remains operative as of August 2025.

How the policy is implemented

The agency’s process centers on evidence collection and interagency coordination:

• Officers are instructed to check records for voting history, registration records, and any statements on benefit applications that signal a citizenship claim.
• They are told to work with DHS partners and state election officials to confirm whether a non‑citizen has been registered or has cast a ballot.
• These checks are now a standard screening step across relevant immigration processes.

USCIS describes these measures as necessary to protect the integrity of naturalization and to ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in American elections.

Legal landscape and litigation

Supporters of the policy say it addresses a core concern: stopping non‑citizen voting and deterring false claims to citizenship. They argue that the government must take firm steps to keep voter rolls accurate and maintain public trust.

Critics — including civil rights groups and some legal scholars — warn the policy is too harsh and risks punishing people for honest mistakes. Examples cited include non‑citizens who were registered by error at DMV offices or who believed they were allowed to register when applying for a driver’s license. Opponents argue that automatic referrals to removal can sweep in people who never intended to break the law and that mandatory denials under the good moral character standard remove discretion previously used to consider mitigating facts.

Legal uncertainty will likely persist into late 2025 and early 2026 as courts decide which parts of the executive order and follow‑on policies can stand. Some elements have already been blocked, but as of now the administration states the core USCIS policy on non‑citizen voting and removal is active. Immigration lawyers are watching closely for injunctions that could narrow how the agency applies the moral character bar or issues NTAs in voting‑related cases.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, signed on July 4, 2025, also expanded enforcement funding. Observers are evaluating whether that funding will reinforce the current approach or lead to new instructions on screening and data‑sharing.

Retroactivity and reach

A critical feature of the policy is its retroactive reach. Officers are told to apply the guidance to conduct discovered during the naturalization process or through other channels. In practice:

• A green card holder who registered to vote years ago — even if they never voted — could face both denial of citizenship and removal.
• False claims to U.S. citizenship for any benefit (for example, checking the wrong box on a government form to get a driver’s license or applying for a U.S. passport as a non‑citizen) can trigger the same consequences.

The instruction is strict: if evidence of those acts exists, the person fails the moral character test and is placed into proceedings.

Immediate advice and practical steps

For people who fear they might be affected, practitioners recommend seeking legal counsel promptly. Key practical steps often advised by immigration attorneys include:

• Ask a lawyer to review your history before filing any application with USCIS if you have concerns about past voting or registration.
• Request your voter registration record from local or state election offices to confirm your status.
• Do not assume that a past mistake will be ignored; the current USCIS policy instructs officers to act on such findings.
• Prepare thoroughly for interviews and avoid guessing about past facts. If you do not know an answer, say so and discuss how to get records that clarify the issue.

Important: Families and individuals should treat any Notice to Appear seriously and contact legal counsel or the USCIS Contact Center for case‑specific advice.

Human impact — scenarios and consequences

The human stakes are clear in everyday scenarios:

• A long‑time LPR who completed DMV paperwork and later received a voter registration card may have unknowingly returned it. Under the new policy, that registration record can trigger a denial and an NTA during a later citizenship application.
• An LPR who checked the wrong box on a form and accidentally indicated U.S. citizenship while applying for a benefit can face the same outcome.
• Family consequences can be severe: removal proceedings for a parent may affect U.S. citizen children, housing stability, employment, and community ties. The policy does not vary penalties based on family circumstances; it focuses on the act itself.

Legal aid groups are preparing to represent people in citizenship denials and removal proceedings arising from voter‑related findings. They are also collecting stories where registration errors at DMVs and other offices put non‑citizens on voter rolls without clear consent.

Key takeaways (policy points)

• Any voting, attempted voting, voter registration, or false claim of U.S. citizenship can lead to denial of citizenship and removal proceedings.
• The policy applies immediately and can reach past conduct when discovered during any immigration process.
• USCIS officers must screen all applicants for voting‑related issues and false citizenship claims.
• Data‑sharing with state election offices and federal systems is expanding to identify non‑citizen voters.
• Legal help is important for anyone who fears they may be affected.

Officials say these steps will deter illegal voting and uphold the rule that only U.S. citizens may vote. Critics say the policy risks sweeping in people who made mistakes without intent and raises concerns about fairness and due process.

What to watch next

• Ongoing lawsuits filed by 19 Democratic attorneys general and civil rights organizations may produce injunctions or rulings that narrow the policy’s scope.
• Courts could alter how strictly USCIS applies the good moral character standard or require discretion in referral decisions.
• USCIS and DHS have not released estimates of how many green card holders may be placed in proceedings under the new guidance.
• Expanded data‑sharing between DHS and state election systems will likely increase cross‑checks and flags during interviews and file reviews.

Until courts act, USCIS treats non‑citizen voting and false citizenship claims as violations requiring denial of naturalization and removal referrals. Many immigration attorneys advise caution: some applicants may delay naturalization to consult counsel and gather records; others may proceed if confident their histories are clear.

Resources

Readers who want official information on immigration processes and case help can find resources on the USCIS site at https://www.uscis.gov. People who receive a Notice to Appear can review agency guidance on what an NTA means and should contact the USCIS Contact Center or legal counsel for case‑specific advice.

Legal aid groups and community organizations are offering workshops and clinics to explain the new risks and connect people with lawyers. Immigration attorneys continue to track pending litigation and any orders that could pause parts of the policy or adjust how officers screen for non‑citizen voting.

The government’s message is consistent: enforce that only U.S. citizens may vote, and move quickly against non‑citizen voting and false citizenship claims. Opponents warn of injustice and due process problems. With injunctions already blocking some measures and more rulings expected, the legal landscape may shift; until then, green card holders should assume strict enforcement, collect their records, and seek legal help if they have any concern about past voting, voter registration, or citizenship claims tied to any government benefit.