Sens. Wyden, Merkley demand investigation into illegal DHS access to voter data
(KTVZ) -- U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with 16 other senators, have demanded an independent investigation into allegations that Department of Homeland Security officials directed staff to illegally access state voter data. A total of 18 senators signed a letter to the DHS Office of Inspector General requesting the probe.
The request follows a whistleblower disclosure alleging that DHS leadership instructed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection and National Security officers to impersonate voters to access sensitive online voting information. According to the disclosure, officers created law enforcement records, known as TECS records, using unreliable data compiled with what the whistleblower described as “supplemental magic.”
The whistleblower disclosure outlines directions given to personnel within the Fraud Detection and National Security directorate of USCIS. According to the disclosure, officers were instructed to make false certifications to access sensitive voter information and faced quotas requiring them to review 40 subjects per day. Wyden, Merkley and 16 other senators cited the agency oversight mandate in their letter demanding an inquiry.
“The DHS Office of Inspector General's mission is '[t]o provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity and accountability within DHS,'” the lawmakers wrote. “We urge you to carry out that mission by immediately opening an independent investigation into the alleged wrongdoings detailed in the whistleblower's claims, which describe agency leadership directing officers to violate the law and DHS standards of integrity.”
The senators also asked the inspector general to issue administrative directives to halt ongoing actions while the inquiry proceeds.
“In addition to your investigation, please use every tool at your disposal, including a management alert, to address this immediately and prevent any additional wrongdoing or misuse of agency personnel and resources while the investigation is ongoing,” the senators wrote.
The letter expressed concern that voter data could be used for political purposes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The 18 senators requested ongoing status updates delivered directly to key congressional panels, including the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
“Given the time-sensitive nature of these claims and the potential for misuse of this information for political purposes in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, please provide weekly updates on the status of your investigation to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs and Senate Committee on the Judiciary,” the senators stated in the letter. “Finally, recognizing the special provisions concerning the DHS Secretary's authority over certain DHS OIG audits and investigations, if the Secretary refuses to cooperate with an audit or investigation, please notify us immediately.”
The congressional letter was led by U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla, D-California, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York. Along with Wyden and Merkley, the signatories include Sens. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Timothy Kaine, D-Virginia, Angus King, I-Maine, Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts, Adam B. Schiff, D-California, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Mark Warner, D-Virginia, Raphael G. Warnock, D-Ga., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. In addition to the Senate request, outside watchdog organization American Oversight has launched its own investigation to obtain DHS and USCIS records under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the initiative and directives to access state voter data.
