MARYLAND FREEDOM CAUCUS TO INTRODUCE CITIZENSHIP-VERIFICATION LEGISLATION IN RESPONSE TO ROBERTS CASE

The Maryland Freedom Caucus announced plans to introduce legislation strengthening citizenship verification for voter registration, according to a press release issued December 2, 2025.

The caucus stated it is taking action “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,” according to the release.

Roberts is described in the statement as “an illegal alien from Guyana with a standing deportation order” who overstayed a student visa and “worked as a school administrator in multiple states.” The caucus says he was recently detained by ICE. Although Roberts allegedly left Maryland “more than a decade ago and never cast a ballot here,” the Freedom Caucus asserts that “he remained an active registered voter.”

According to the release, unredacted voter-registration applications obtained 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.’”

Delegate Matt Morgan, Chair of the Maryland Freedom Caucus, said, “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. 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.”

The release further cites an executive order issued earlier this year by President Donald J. Trump 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 says its forthcoming 2026 legislation will “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.”

According to the press release, the proposed 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.

Morgan concluded, “The right to vote belongs exclusively to American citizens. Our bills will make sure Maryland’s voter-registration system finally reflects that simple truth.”