Bill Introduced to Strengthen Citizenship Verification for Voter Registration
The Maryland Freedom Caucus announced today that it will introduce legislation to strengthen citizenship verification for voter registration following new reporting that illegal immigrant Ian Andre Roberts repeatedly claimed U.S. citizenship on Maryland voter-registration forms and remained on the rolls as an active voter for years.
Roberts — an illegal alien from Guyana with a standing deportation order —overstayed a student visa, worked as a school administrator in multiple states, and was recently detained by ICE.
Although he left Maryland more than a decade ago and never cast a ballot here, he remained an active registered voter.
Newly obtained unredacted voter-registration applications from the Public Interest Legal Foundation show he falsely affirmed U.S. citizenship, contradicting claims by Democrats and SBOE Administrator Jared DeMarinis that such cases “never happen.”
“State officials want us to believe this was just an ‘unintentional’ registration, that no one is responsible, and that the system is working as designed,” said Delegate Matt Morgan, Chair of the Maryland Freedom Caucus.
“If an illegal immigrant with a deportation order can secure a Maryland driver’s license, register to vote, and stay on the rolls for years, then the design of the system is the problem. Marylanders deserve ironclad proof of citizenship before anyone is added to the voter rolls.”
Earlier this year, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship — such as passports or REAL ID-compliant identification — when registering to vote using the national form.
The Freedom Caucus will introduce bills in the 2026 session to implement these same protections in Maryland.
“Marylanders must show more documentation to board a plane than to register to vote,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga.
“The Roberts case makes it clear that Maryland needs strong, simple, documentary proof that only citizens vote in our elections.”
The legislation will:
• Require documentary proof of citizenship and Voter ID;
• End “unintentional” noncitizen registrations; and
• Mandate regular audits to ensure accurate, citizen-only voter rolls.
“The right to vote belongs exclusively to American citizens,” Morgan added. “Our bills will make sure Maryland’s voter-registration system finally reflects that simple truth.”
