Noem Advocates for SAVE America Act, Claiming Opposition Supports Non-Citizen Voting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made a forceful case for the SAVE America Act during a press conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday, suggesting that those who oppose the legislation want to enable non-citizens to vote in U.S. elections.

Speaking to reporters in the Phoenix area, Noem highlighted the Trump administration’s commitment to election security while promoting the bill, which would implement several new voting requirements nationwide.

“Each of the arguments that have been laid out to criticize this bill are baseless speculation from the radical left because they want illegal aliens to vote in our elections,” Noem stated. “They want to disenfranchise American citizens by telling them that their votes don’t matter.”

The SAVE America Act would establish three major requirements: proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, photo identification to vote in federal elections, and mandatory removal of non-citizens from state voter rolls. According to Noem, the legislation has substantial bipartisan support among voters, though it faces significant opposition from Democratic lawmakers.

“There’s only one reason that anyone would oppose this bill, and that’s because they would want to cheat,” Noem asserted, adding that opponents “want illegal people and aliens in this country to be able to vote for them, and to rob United States citizens of their vote.”

The bill has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over election security and voting access. Congressional Democrats have strongly opposed the measure, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterizing it as “Jim Crow 2.0” – a reference to historical laws that effectively prevented Black Americans from voting. Democrats argue the legislation could disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters.

During her remarks, Noem cited several specific cases of non-citizens who were allegedly registered to vote in various states, though she did not provide comprehensive data on the frequency of such occurrences. “There is no room in our election system for people that aren’t Americans,” she emphasized. “There is no room in our election system for fraudsters and foreign influence.”

Election security experts have long debated the prevalence of non-citizen voting. While studies have identified isolated instances, most research indicates that such cases are extremely rare in the context of millions of votes cast in federal elections. Critics of strict voter ID laws argue they often create barriers for legitimate voters, particularly the elderly, low-income citizens, and minority communities who may face challenges obtaining required documentation.

Noem specifically urged Arizona officials to “clean up” their voter rolls, suggesting they use the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. This federal database assists government agencies in verifying individuals’ citizenship and immigration status.

“Maybe people who’ve passed away, people that aren’t citizens, people that don’t live here,” she said, describing those who should be removed from voter rolls. “That would make sure that in your next election, when people are casting their votes, they know they’re voting for the right decisions and that those votes are counted appropriately, and someone else didn’t get to weigh in on their leadership.”

The SAVE America Act represents a significant part of the Trump administration’s election policy agenda, reflecting broader Republican concerns about election integrity. The bill’s future remains uncertain, however, as it faces strong opposition in a closely divided Congress where Democrats control the Senate and Republicans hold a narrow House majority.

As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, debates over voting access, election security, and the balance between preventing fraud and ensuring broad participation are likely to remain central to national political discourse.