Border security and ballots

By U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer
R-Missouri

Washington, D.C. – Allowing illegal immigrants to vote in U.S. elections is akin to letting criminals create laws and hand out punishments. Just as lawbreakers would shape a legal system to serve their interests, those who enter the country illegally could influence policies that benefit their circumstances, undermining the integrity of the democratic process. 

The principle of law and citizenship in a functioning society ensures that only those with a vested, legal right can make decisions that shape the future. Without upholding these principles, the system becomes distorted, weakening the trust in governance and eroding the safeguards meant to protect your rights. If you ask me, that’s not something I want to see happen.

As we inch closer to the November election, House Republicans remain steadfast in confronting the growing crisis at our southern border, a crisis the Biden-Harris Administration continues to ignore. Illegal immigration isn’t just an immediate problem; it poses long-term risks to our national security, democratic processes, and the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens. 

As I and my Republican colleagues have made clear, when our borders are open and our foreign policy is neglected, every state – including Missouri’s Third District – becomes a border state, and the safety of our citizens is jeopardized.

The right to vote is one of the most sacred privileges we have as U.S. citizens. But with open borders, we risk diluting this core principle. The threat of non-citizens voting might not involve large groups overwhelming polling places, but even a single undocumented vote can undermine the sanctity of our elections. Voting is a privilege for those who are invested in the future of this country, and allowing non-citizens to vote erodes the integrity of our democratic process.

Last week, the House passed the SAVE Act, a bill that not only strengthens border security but also reaffirms that the right to vote is exclusively for American citizens. By reinforcing voter verification processes and closing dangerous loopholes, this legislation helps ensure that only U.S. citizens can participate in our elections, protecting both the stability of our nation and the sanctity of our electoral process.

For the hard-working citizens, this issue is especially pressing. Allowing non-citizens to vote dilutes the influence of each citizen’s voice in shaping the future of our communities. With our district’s strong agricultural roots, tight-knit community values, and tradition of hard work, we cannot afford to let foreign interference weaken the decisions that affect our families, businesses, and way of life.

The SAVE Act is a crucial step toward preserving the integrity of our elections and securing our borders. By supporting this legislation, we affirm that our elections belong to U.S. citizens, and our national security is not up for negotiation. As we approach November, let’s remain united in our commitment to these fundamental principles, protecting the future of Missouri’s Third District and our nation.