U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rejects MVC letters on voter registration error

Key points

• USCIS rejected MVC notification letters sent to noncitizens about voter registration errors
• The rejected letters lacked an individual addressee, official signature, or government seal
• The voter registration error resulted in noncitizens being added to New Jersey voter rolls
• USCIS's rejection suggests the MVC's notification approach did not meet federal standards
• The decision complicates the state's efforts to correct and communicate about the registration mistake

FAQ

Why did USCIS reject the MVC's letters?

USCIS said the notices sent by the Motor Vehicle Commission lacked proper federal documentation standards. Specifically, the letters did not include an individual addressee, an official signature, or an official government seal, making them insufficient for official immigration-related communications.

What was the original voter registration error?

The Motor Vehicle Commission incorrectly added noncitizens to New Jersey's voter rolls. The MVC then attempted to notify the affected individuals about the error using letters that USCIS subsequently rejected as inadequate.

What happens next with affected noncitizens?

With USCIS rejecting the MVC's current notification letters, the state may need to develop a corrected notification process that meets federal standards before it can properly communicate the registration mistake to affected individuals.