The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has arrested two Ukrainian nationals accused of illegally voting in the 2024 US presidential election, according to media reports. The arrests, announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, mark a significant action under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on election integrity.
The identities of the two individuals have not been disclosed, pending further investigation, but authorities confirmed they were apprehended following a joint operation spearheaded by ICE and supported by DOGE, a newly established department aimed at streamlining government operations. According to media, the arrests were made public on April 29, 2025, via posts on the social media platform X, where Secretary Noem stated, “In partnership with @DOGE, @ICEgov arrested two Ukrainian nationals for illegally VOTING in the 2024 election. Under President Donald Trump, if you come to our country and break our laws, you will face the consequences.”
Non-citizen voting in US federal elections is illegal and rare, with existing safeguards such as voter registration checks and penalties including deportation and jail time for violators. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 mandates that applicants attest to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, and state audits have consistently found instances of non-citizen voting to be exceedingly rare. Despite this, claims of widespread non-citizen voting have been a point of contention, particularly during the 2024 election cycle, with President Trump and Republican allies alleging potential fraud, though these claims have been described as baseless by multiple sources.
The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of election processes following President Trump’s executive order in March 2025, which sought to impose stricter voter registration requirements, including proof of citizenship. Parts of this order were paused by US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, who ruled that the administration lacked authority to enforce certain provisions, citing the US Constitution’s delegation of election oversight to states. “The ruling ensures that states retain their constitutional authority over elections,” said a spokesperson for the League of Women Voters Education Fund, one of the groups challenging the order.
Experts and voting rights advocates have expressed concern that such high-profile arrests could fuel narratives of widespread election fraud, despite evidence to the contrary. “Non-citizen voting is exceptionally rare and does not impact election outcomes,” said Dr. Lorraine Minnite, a political science professor at Rutgers University, whose research focuses on voter fraud. “These cases, while serious, should not be used to justify broad policy changes that risk disenfranchising eligible voters.” Minnite’s findings align with state audits showing minimal instances of non-citizen voting.
On the other hand, supporters of the arrests argue they underscore the need for stricter election security. “This is proof that our elections are vulnerable,” posted @MAGAVoice on X, echoing sentiments among some conservative groups. “MAGA was right again—stop the future steal.” The involvement of DOGE, led by figures like Elon Musk, has also drawn attention, with some praising the department’s role in identifying the alleged violations.
The Ukrainian nationals face potential deportation and criminal charges, though specific details about their cases remain under wraps. The timing of the arrests coincides with ongoing US-Ukraine tensions, particularly regarding President Trump’s push for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Some speculate that the arrests could be leveraged in broader diplomatic discussions, though no official statements have confirmed this.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) issued a statement urging caution in interpreting the arrests. “While we support enforcing election laws, these isolated incidents should not be weaponized to undermine confidence in our electoral system,” said a DNC spokesperson. Meanwhile, ICE officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with potential for additional arrests if further violations are uncovered.
As the story develops, both sides of the political spectrum are likely to continue debating the implications of these arrests for election integrity and immigration policy. For now, the incident serves as a flashpoint in the broader conversation about securing US elections while preserving access to the ballot for eligible voters.
