Citizenship of the United States

Kansas voters are deciding a constitutional amendment to Article 5, Section 1 that would make explicit that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in the state. Current language implies citizenship through its phrasing of "every citizen," while the proposed wording states no person may be a qualified elector unless they are a U.S. citizen, at least 18, and a resident of the voting area (barring a residency exception).

Supporters say the change clarifies existing law and blocks non-citizen voting; opponents call it redundant, since citizenship is already required, and warn it could open the door to future proof-of-citizenship requirements that risk disenfranchising eligible voters.

Federal prosecutors asked Washington election officials to set aside ballots from roughly 405 voters they suspect registered without citizenship, accounting for about 1,500 cast ballots, and said more names may follow before Election Day. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs confirmed his office is reviewing the demand, which follows about 60 federal subpoenas for voter records over the past month. Hobbs has called the DOJ's data "deeply flawed," noting citizens appear on the list and most flagged voters are unregistered or inactive, and says withholding ballots without individualized proof would likely be unlawful. No charges have been filed.

A similar, larger fight is underway in California, where a federal judge rejected a DOJ demand to sequester roughly 20,000 disputed ballots but appointed a special master to vet the list, which both sides agree includes citizens. The DOJ has since subpoenaed California election officials and appealed to the 9th Circuit. Alaska has faced comparable demands.

A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Halima Salman, 27, a U.S. citizen, of receiving military-type training from ISIS in Syria. Prosecutors said Salman traveled to Syria with her family as a teenager in 2016, married an ISIS fighter, and voluntarily underwent weapons training, later receiving a certificate of completion and authorization to carry an assault rifle. Evidence included photos and video recovered from her husband's phone showing her with an ISIS flag and an AK-47. She was convicted under the federal statute barring receipt of training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

A Des Moines family is coping with the deportation of Juan Lopez, who lived in the U.S. for nearly 40 years before immigration officers arrested him on his way to work in September. Lopez, who officials say had a felony record including assault and burglary, left behind seven children and 14 grandchildren, all U.S. citizens. His children say the deportation has brought emotional and financial strain, with two sons now helping cover the family mortgage. University of Iowa researchers note that immigration enforcement can affect children's health and development even before birth. Brookings estimates more than 200,000 children nationwide have had a parent detained since early last year.

The Department of Justice has charged six Florida residents—lawful permanent residents from Cuba, Canada, Ecuador, and Brazil—with illegally voting in the 2022 and 2024 elections despite lacking U.S. citizenship. All face charges of illegal voting by an alien; three also face additional charges for falsely claiming citizenship, which carries a stiffer potential sentence. Those three could face up to five years on the citizenship charge plus one year for illegal voting, while the remaining three face a maximum of one year. Voting patterns varied, with most defendants casting ballots in both election cycles. The cases stem from an investigation by Homeland Security, the Florida Department of State, and Hernando County election officials.

Iowa Senate Democratic nominee Josh Turek, pressed by NBC News on whether illegal immigrants should face deportation, said there should not be immediate deportation and instead backed a pathway to legal status contingent on background checks. He inaccurately cited Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Randy Feenstra as supporters of the Dignity Act; neither cosponsors the bill. The exchange intensifies immigration as a flashpoint in Turek's race against Rep. Ashley Hinson, who has criticized his record on ICE cooperation, immigrant benefits, and a campaign ad featuring sheriffs who limited detainer compliance. Critics call the Dignity Act amnesty; sponsor Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar disputes that characterization, calling it enforcement-first reform.

Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old U.S. citizen jailed in Russia for more than four years on charges of fighting for Ukraine, has been released, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed during talks with Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Hubbard, the last American formally designated wrongfully detained in Russia, was in poor health and expected to be flown to Texas for treatment. President Trump said he personally secured the release in a direct call with Putin, describing it as unconditional with no prisoner swap involved. The release came days after Trump eased sanctions on Russia, a move that drew bipartisan congressional backlash, with some states, including Colorado, publicly reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine.

Hubbard, a retired teacher and military veteran, was captured in Ukraine in 2022 and sentenced in 2024. His release follows those of Robert Gilman, Marc Fogel, Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Whelan. Roughly 10 Americans remain detained in Russia.