Four Cuban Nationals Among 48 Foreigners Charged with Electoral Fraud in the U.S.

In a significant move by the U.S. Department of Justice, charges have been filed against 48 foreign nationals, including four Cuban citizens, for alleged electoral fraud across Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York, and Nevada. The announcement was made on Monday, October 26th.

The accused Cubans, aged between 60 and 73, are facing allegations of illegal voting in the federal elections of 2022 and 2024. Two cases have emerged from Florida and another two from Pennsylvania.

Among the four, three are legal permanent residents in the United States, while the fourth is an undocumented immigrant. The charges include illegal voting by non-citizens and, in one instance, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register and cast a vote.

Illegal Voting Allegations in Pennsylvania

Alfredo Santiesteban, 73, the only undocumented immigrant among the accused Cubans, faces charges for allegedly voting unlawfully in the November 2024 general elections. Meanwhile, Osmal Loy, a 70-year-old legal permanent resident, is similarly charged with illegal voting in the same election. Both are part of a group of four foreigners charged in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which also includes individuals from Poland and Israel.

Florida Charges Involving False Citizenship Claims

In Florida's Middle District, Jamie Orlando Sosa Sardina, 60, a legal permanent resident, is accused of falsely declaring U.S. citizenship to vote and casting illegal votes as a foreign national. According to the Department of Justice, Sosa Sardina registered to vote in 2022 and participated in the general federal elections that year and in 2024. His case involves both the alleged false citizenship declaration and illegal voting.

Another Cuban, Luis Manuel Pérez, 72, also a legal permanent resident, is accused of voting illegally in the federal elections of 2022 and 2024. These two Cubans are among six foreigners charged with electoral offenses in Florida's Middle District, alongside citizens from Ecuador, Canada, and Brazil.

Widespread Electoral Offenses Across the U.S.

The Justice Department's operation spans five states, addressing various electoral violations, from illegal voting by non-citizens to false statements for voter registration and irregularities in naturalization procedures. California accounts for 28 of the 48 accused, spread across its Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern judicial districts.

In instances in California, permanent residents reportedly registered to vote by falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and later concealed this information during naturalization processes. Pennsylvania announced nine charges, Florida six, New York four, and Nevada one.

Among California's cases is a Belizean citizen accused of registering to vote in 2019, participating in several elections between 2020 and 2024, and falsely stating during naturalization that they had never claimed U.S. citizenship. In New York, three permanent residents from Ireland, Guyana, and Jamaica are charged with voting in the 2024 federal elections, admitting in federal interviews that they were not U.S. citizens when they voted.

Understanding U.S. Law on Foreign Voting

Federal law prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in federal elections, such as presidential and congressional races, with few legal exceptions. Legal permanent residency, or a green card, does not grant the right to vote in these elections. Some jurisdictions allow certain non-citizen residents to vote in local elections, but these exceptions do not extend to federal contests.

Illegally voting in a federal election can result in a maximum one-year imprisonment, while making false U.S. citizenship declarations can lead to more severe penalties, depending on the charges. The Justice Department emphasized that all current accusations are merely allegations, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

This announcement comes just eight days before the midterm congressional elections, scheduled for November 3rd.