Full Breakdown
ICE Accesses Voter Files in Texas and North Carolina Ahead of Midterms
6/14/2026, 2:31:54 PM
ICE Access to County Voter Files
In May and again in November 2025, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit received voter files from election officials in Webb County, Texas, and Forsyth County, North Carolina. Emails obtained by the watchdog Democracy Forward document the handoff of local voter data to federal agents.
Federal Initiative and Historical Context
President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed widespread non-citizen voting despite a lack of evidence. Under his administration, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security have pursued an effort to collect voter data from state officials as an “election integrity” operation.
Key Participants
Participants include ICE’s HSI unit, DHS General Counsel James Percival, DHS election-integrity official Heather Honey, and the DOJ. Webb County election administrator Jose Castillo facilitated the transfer. Democracy Forward’s oversight counsel Dan McGrath monitors the correspondence and raises legal concerns.
Data on Noncitizen Voting and Voter File Requests
The Heritage Foundation reports only 99 non-citizens were identified as committing voter fraud between 1982 and 2025. Emails show HSI requested voter files in May and November, and DHS officials also sought voter data from the Texas Secretary of State’s office.
Official Statements & Agency Responses
DHS spokesperson affirmed that “HSI is actively rooting out and investigating election fraud wherever it can be found.” General Counsel James Percival directed ICE to pursue stricter penalties for non-citizens found voting illegally, warning that such voting “dilutes the votes of American citizens and undermines our democracy.” The DOJ has requested voter data nationwide.
Criticism & Opposition
Dan McGrath warned that using ICE to investigate a problem with “diminishingly few” cases should alarm the public. Webb County election administrator Jose Castillo noted “there’s nothing there” and suggested ICE resources could be better used. The requests represent an unprecedented federal intrusion into state-run elections.
Conflicting Reports & Information Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of the voter-file requests: one cites May and November 2025, another references the prior year. DHS, the White House, and Democracy Forward did not respond to comment requests, leaving official positions unverified. No documented cases of widespread non-citizen voting have emerged, contrary to administration claims.
Upcoming Developments
The disclosures precede the November 2026 midterm elections. DHS General Counsel James Percival’s June 9 directive to impose stricter penalties for illegal voting indicates ICE may continue seeking voter data. Further state requests are likely to be monitored.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Using ICE to pursue a problem this rare should concern everyone.” — Dan McGrath, Senior Oversight Counsel, Democracy Forward
- “There’s nothing there. But I get it, you’ve got to do your job,” — Jose Castillo, Election Administrator, Webb County, Texas
- “HSI is actively rooting out and investigating election fraud wherever it can be found.” — DHS spokesperson
- “Illegal voting by aliens dilutes the votes of American citizens and undermines our democracy,” — James Percival, DHS General Counsel
