Undocumented immigrants in the United States are not allowed to vote because they are not considered legal citizens of the country. The right to vote is reserved only for those who are U.S. citizens and have registered to vote.
The exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the voting process dates back to the founding of the country. The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1787, specified that only "citizens" could vote. At that time, the definition of citizenship was limited to white male property owners. Over time, the definition of citizenship has expanded to include people of different races, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds, but the requirement that only citizens can vote has remained.
Undocumented immigrants are defined as individuals who enter or reside in a country without proper authorization. They are not recognized as citizens and, therefore, cannot vote. While some states and localities have passed laws allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, this does not apply to undocumented immigrants.
There have been efforts to expand voting rights to undocumented immigrants and other non-citizens in recent years. Some advocates argue that undocumented immigrants should be allowed to vote in local elections, as they often pay taxes and contribute to their communities. Others argue that the right to vote is a fundamental aspect of citizenship and should be reserved only for those who are legal citizens.
Overall, the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the voting process in the United States is rooted in the country's history and legal framework, which defines citizenship as a requirement for voting. While there have been some efforts to expand voting rights to non-citizens, the debate over this issue remains controversial and ongoing.