Republican leaders are warning that President Joe Biden’s recent actions and the White House’s latest announcement could allow millions of undocumented immigrants to vote.
The Biden administration has emphasized that illegal immigration is a key issue in the November presidential election. After initially trying to pass legislation that would tighten immigration restrictions, the president and his team have since changed strategy, raising concerns about the possibility of a mass amnesty that would give voting rights to millions of illegal immigrants. These doubts were intensified when the White House announced that it would veto the Republican Save Act, a bill aimed at ensuring that only citizens can vote if it reaches the president’s desk.
“It should come as a shock to all Americans that a sitting United States President who has opened the border to over 9 million illegal immigrants has announced he will veto legislation to prevent foreign nationals from voting,” House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote in a post alongside a memo from the administration’s policy statement.
White House criticizes Republicans for spreading ‘falsehoods’
In a statement, the White House accused the Republicans of misleading the public with “lies” and clarified that it is already illegal for foreigners to vote in federal elections, a crime punishable by prison time and fines.
“This bill will not protect our elections; it will make it harder for people to register to vote and increase the risk that they will be removed from the voter rolls. The evidence shows that current laws banning foreign nationals from voting are effective.”
The memo stressed that Biden will continue to protect the right of Americans to vote in free, fair and secure elections and urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. The administration also called on conservatives to reconsider a previously rejected bipartisan border deal.
“If House Republicans truly want to secure our border and reform our broken immigration system, they should support the bipartisan border deal the president negotiated. This deal will provide immigration authorities with the resources they need and will be the toughest, fairest border reform in decades.”
Republicans require proof of citizenship to vote
Republican leaders were quick to respond to the president’s statement, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, who expressed concern that “the sitting president who has allowed over 9 million illegal immigrants through the border has announced that he will veto legislation to prevent foreign nationals from voting.”
Texas Rep. Chip Roy criticized the president’s stance and pointed out the contradictions: “Biden says voting for non-citizens is illegal, but he’s promoting voting for non-citizens. What is his real purpose?” Rep. Roy also called for proof of citizenship before voting: “He declares that only American citizens can vote, but then requires proof of citizenship to register.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vocal opponent of illegal immigration, argued, “Biden and the Democrats want illegal immigrants to vote in November’s election. Without proof of citizenship, our elections will not be safe from interference.”
