ALERT: ICE to Investigate Electoral Fraud in Nine States

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to intensify its investigations into electoral fraud beginning Tuesday. The measure will affect nine states between early September and mid-October. Experts assert that there is no evidence of widespread electoral fraud.

According to internal guidelines reviewed by CNN, the DHS will expand its investigative efforts in certain states. Secretary Markwayne Mullin has pushed this initiative as part of the search for alleged electoral fraud. President Donald Trump has characterized that fraud as widespread, though without verified evidence.

What do the internal guidelines revealed by CNN announce?

According to those guidelines, cited by CNN, the DHS has pressured states to share their voter rolls. The agency seeks to use that information for audit purposes. Additionally, it promised to withhold grant funds from states that refuse to adopt electoral reforms.

Beginning Tuesday, a «coordinated escalation initiative against criminal electoral fraud» will begin. This is how the guidelines cited by CNN describe it. The objective is to pursue investigative leads and conduct field interviews, as well as expedite case reviews before prosecutors.

What role does HSI play in this initiative?

The DHS relies on Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE. Normally, that agency investigates serious crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling. It also handles cases of child exploitation.

However, HSI has already deployed an unprecedented number of agents to electoral matters. Among its tasks is tracking voting records of people believed to not be citizens. Therefore, the agency expanded its function beyond its usual duties.

In which states will the DHS act and when?

According to the guidelines revealed by CNN, nine states will begin investigative actions between early September and mid-October.

States included in the initiative

Washington

Wisconsin

Missouri

Georgia

California

Pennsylvania

Nevada

New York

Connecticut

That timeline coincides with the start of midterm elections in the country. For that reason, the reference to these dates is especially significant to several experts.

Why does the Department of Justice policy raise doubts?

Historically, a Department of Justice policy discourages public investigations near electoral periods. That rule seeks to prevent inquiries from influencing election outcomes. According to the agency’s manual, acting otherwise could discourage legitimate voter participation.

The document also warns about the risk of mixing investigations with ongoing campaigns. This policy was revoked during the first Trump administration, although in practice it continued to apply. Later, it was formally reestablished during the presidency of Joe Biden.

However, the DHS is an independent department and is not required to follow it. The new guidelines, moreover, do not mention any concerns related to those electoral deadlines. CNN requested comments from the DHS on this matter, but the agency did not respond immediately.