Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, hundreds of immigrants are being fast-tracked to U.S. citizenship, sparking concerns about the speed of the process and its potential electoral impact.
Tech mogul Elon Musk has voiced fears that Democrats may be using this expedited naturalization process to gain votes and secure long-term political dominance.
Musk, an outspoken critic of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, has warned that these moves could lead to a “permanent one-party rule” in the U.S.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk accused the Democratic Party of allowing illegal immigration to increase voter numbers in their favor, predicting that if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, it could solidify a permanent Democratic stronghold.
Musk claimed, “They are importing voters. It is obvious.”
Musk’s remarks reflect a broader concern among conservatives that immigration policies under the Biden-Harris administration are politically motivated as the 2024 election looms.
In response, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson dismissed these allegations, insisting that the increase in naturalization is not politically driven.
“DHS does not take actions based on electoral politics or upcoming elections. Period,” spokesperson Naree Ketudat stated, countering claims of election manipulation.
The debate has intensified as Harris and other Democratic leaders advocate for an “earned pathway to citizenship,” a policy endorsed by figures such as Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Musk criticized this approach, arguing that it aims to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants, potentially reshaping the political landscape in favor of Democrats.
According to Musk, the Democratic Party’s ultimate goal is to legalize around 15 million undocumented migrants, which he claims would alter the balance in swing states and entrench Democratic control, similar to what occurred in California.
Since 2020, almost 4 million immigrants have been granted U.S. citizenship, a process that usually takes years but has accelerated recently.
This rapid pace has raised concerns that thousands of newly naturalized citizens could influence the outcome of the upcoming election, especially in swing states.
Critics argue that the timing of these naturalizations could disproportionately benefit Democrats. However, Xiao Wang, co-founder of immigration assistance firm Boundless, rejected the notion of a conspiracy to create new Democratic voters, stating, “This is not part of some master conspiracy.”
Despite these reassurances, a poll by the National Partnership for New Americans showed that 97% of naturalized citizens in key states and California plan to vote in the upcoming election.
Among those surveyed, 54% favored Kamala Harris, while 38% supported Donald Trump.
Concerns about voter integrity have also resurfaced, with reports suggesting that some non-citizens were automatically registered to vote through the “motor voter” process.
A study by the nonprofit Just Facts estimated that as many as 2.7 million non-citizens could potentially cast ballots in the 2024 election.
As immigration and voter registration remain key issues, debates over these topics will likely intensify as the election nears.
