Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has directed the removal of 186 noncitizens from the state’s voter registration rolls after verifying their status through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program.

According to a news release, records indicate that 25 of the individuals not only registered illegally but also cast ballots in Alabama elections, a violation of state and federal law.

The identification process began after Allen’s office entered a Memorandum of Understanding with DHS-USCIS, granting the Secretary of State access to the SAVE program for voter-file maintenance. Each person flagged was given an opportunity to prove U.S. citizenship. Those who failed to provide documentation were removed from the voter rolls, a process Allen’s office confirmed has been fully completed.

Allen said his office will also refer these cases to local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities for review and potential action.

“Our elections must be decided by American citizens and only American citizens,” Allen said in the release. “While liberal organizations and media outlets claim noncitizen voting is not a problem, my office has proven otherwise. Under my watch, illegal registration and illegal voting by noncitizens will not be tolerated in Alabama. My office will continue to identify these violations, refer them to law enforcement and ensure the full force of the law is applied.”

Allen, Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State, serves as the state’s chief elections official and oversees more than 1,000 duties under Alabama law. More information about the office and its responsibilities is available at www.sos.alabama.gov.