Unmasking the Claims: How DOGE Exploited Social Security Data to Fuel Voter Fraud Allegations

In a recent twist, Antonio Gracias, a member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sparked controversy with claims about noncitizens voting in the U.S. He alleged that millions of noncitizens received Social Security numbers improperly, suggesting they gained access to voter rolls.

Gracias made this claim during multiple media appearances, including an April 2 interview on Fox and Friends, where he stated that "five-plus million" noncitizens got Social Security numbers through what he called an "automatic system." He further claimed that in several states, they found thousands of these individuals on voter rolls, who he asserted had voted.

However, experts have quickly refuted these allegations. In the past, state audits have revealed that noncitizen voting instances are extremely rare. For example, a Michigan review confirmed these cases are almost negligible, and federal laws class voting by noncitizens as a serious crime with significant penalties.

Legal experts highlighted that the data manipulation described by Gracias could even contravene a court order designed to protect sensitive Social Security Administration (SSA) data access. Notably, the recent assertions from DOGE fail to consider the accuracy of such cross-referencing between Social Security numbers and voting records, which can lead to numerous errors.

Charles Stewart, a political scientist at MIT, pointed out that voter registration lists typically don’t include Social Security numbers, complicating any verification efforts. The use of such data without proper context or safeguards raises significant legal and ethical concerns, especially given the federal government’s strict regulations on data sharing.

So what exactly is the Enumeration-Beyond-Entry (EBE) program that Gracias referenced? Initially launched in 2017, it allows noncitizens to obtain Social Security numbers to ensure compliance with tax laws. This program expanded under the Biden administration, increasing the pool of eligible immigrants. Many believe that lawfully present immigrants using the SSA’s EBE program could eventually register to vote post-naturalization, leading to misinterpretations around the topic.

But concerns over the DOGE’s approach go beyond just the data integrity of Social Security numbers. Questions have been raised about how such sensitive data is used, as federal judges have raised alarm bells about potential violations of privacy laws. Justin Levitt, a law professor, said it’s crucial for data access to be in line with an agency’s mission, emphasizing that “being curious” doesn’t justify such intrusive inquiries.

It’s clear that the intersection of government data use and voting rights continues to be a hot-button issue. As the DOGE team explores these claims, careful scrutiny will be essential to protect citizens‘ rights and uphold the integrity of public data systems.

With the political implications of these claims being discussed in Congress—where they are invoked to push for stricter voting regulations—this situation remains dynamic and continues to evolve. The public and the experts will be carefully watching how this plays out and how it might affect future policies regarding voting and immigration.

For those with insights on this unfolding matter, the conversation is far from over. We need to ensure that our systems are transparent and that citizen rights are protected, especially in matters as serious as voting integrity.

Source link