Fact Check: democrats pay illegal immigrants to come into the US so they can vote for democrats

Fact Check: "Democrats pay illegal immigrants to come into the US so they can vote for Democrats"

What We Know

The claim that "Democrats pay illegal immigrants to come into the US so they can vote for Democrats" is a narrative that has been circulated, particularly by figures such as Elon Musk. However, experts in immigration and voting laws assert that this claim is unfounded. It is illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, and those who attempt to do so face severe penalties, including imprisonment and deportation (BBC, NPR).

Voting and immigration experts have noted that while there are instances of non-citizens voting, these occurrences are extremely rare and not indicative of a systematic effort to sway elections (BBC). For example, a survey by the Brennan Center for Justice found only a handful of cases of non-citizen voting in jurisdictions with high immigrant populations (NPR). Furthermore, the process for undocumented immigrants to gain citizenship, which would allow them to vote, is lengthy and complex, often taking years (BBC).

Analysis

The claim lacks credible evidence and relies heavily on misinformation. Elon Musk's assertions about "voter importation" have been challenged by experts who emphasize that non-citizens are legally barred from voting in federal elections (BBC). The penalties for non-citizens who attempt to vote serve as a strong deterrent, making it unlikely that a significant number would risk their immigration status for a vote (NPR).

Moreover, the narrative that Democrats are intentionally bringing in immigrants to secure votes echoes a long-standing conspiracy theory known as the "great replacement," which has been widely discredited (NPR). The claim also fails to consider that newly naturalized citizens do not uniformly vote for Democrats; surveys indicate a split in voting preferences among new citizens (BBC).

The sources of these claims, particularly those propagated by Musk, often lack verifiable data and rely on ambiguous language, making them less credible. For instance, Musk's posts have been criticized for their lack of sourcing and reliance on unverified claims (BBC).

Conclusion

The claim that "Democrats pay illegal immigrants to come into the US so they can vote for Democrats" is False. There is no evidence supporting the idea that Democrats are orchestrating a scheme to import voters through illegal immigration. Legal barriers prevent non-citizens from voting, and the processes for gaining citizenship are lengthy and complex, making the claim implausible. Furthermore, the narrative is rooted in misinformation and conspiracy theories that have been widely discredited.

Sources

1. Fact-checking Elon Musk's claim about Democrats importing voters - BBC
2. Fact checking false claims about noncitizen voting : NPR
3. Can illegal immigrants really vote in the US election? - BBC
4. Noncitizen voting is central to Republicans' election claims - NPR
5. Democratic proposal would not allow noncitizens to vote in elections - AP News
6. 143 Democrats Voted in Favor of Letting Noncitizens Vote in US - Snopes
7. Fact Check: Did Democrats Vote To Give 'Illegals' Political Representation? - Newsweek
8. Even not voting, migrants give Democrats 14 more electoral votes - Washington Examiner