The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a stern warning on Tuesday, announcing plans to track down, detain, and prosecute individuals who illegally vote in the midterm elections. This announcement came as millions of Americans headed to the polls to determine the Congressional majority.
"If you vote unlawfully, we will find you. We will locate you, apprehend you, and prosecute you. There will be no escape," stated the federal agency in a post on its official X account.
This declaration aligns with former President Donald Trump's administration's campaign to identify foreigners who allegedly registered or voted without U.S. citizenship.
In federal elections, voting is reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens. This prohibition extends to permanent residents who have not yet naturalized, although certain jurisdictions allow non-citizens to participate in specific local elections.
Federal law, articulated in Section 611 of Title 18 of the United States Code, imposes fines and up to one year in prison for illegal voting in federal elections, with specific exceptions outlined in the statute itself.
ICE's warning coincided with a report from the Daily Caller, revealing information about 14 additional foreign nationals identified in agency documents related to arrests, charges, and investigations over alleged electoral misconduct.
Among those mentioned is Andrés García, a Cuban national accused by authorities of voting without U.S. citizenship.
The documents also list individuals from Mexico, Liberia, Canada, Brazil, Vietnam, Somalia, and Trinidad and Tobago, all linked to alleged electoral violations in previous election cycles.
The information highlights various legal situations: some foreigners have been arrested, others face charges, and certain files contain allegations of irregular voting. Inclusion in these records does not equate to a guilty verdict.
Speaking to the Daily Caller, Micah Bock, ICE's Deputy Public Affairs Director, defended the ongoing arrests for alleged voter fraud, emphasizing that every illegal vote cast by a non-citizen undermines the rights of American citizens.
The agency had previously announced similar investigations in the weeks leading up to the elections. In late October, ICE reported the arrest of a Cuban who allegedly confessed to voting illegally in the U.S., part of a larger group of 17 foreigners identified for potential electoral offenses.
These investigations have also sparked legal disputes over the methods used to identify potential non-citizen voters.
In October, it was revealed that ICE's investigative division had processed over 99 million voter records, according to internal documents obtained by Democracy Forward through a public records request.
The initiative involved cross-referencing voter data and citizenship verification, while civil organizations warned that errors in records could impact those legally entitled to vote.
Recently, a federal judge restricted certain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations in nine states due to concerns over voter intimidation and the reliability of the data used in some investigations.
A federal appeals court later denied the government's request to lift these restrictions, which remain in effect during the November 3 election.
The debate also extends to the presence of immigration agents at polling places. The Department of Homeland Security had assured that ICE did not plan to conduct widespread operations targeting election centers, though it retained the option for specific actions based on investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions on ICE's Election Day Actions
What is ICE's stance on illegal voting by non-citizens?
ICE has declared its intention to locate, arrest, and prosecute individuals who vote unlawfully in the U.S. elections, emphasizing that there will be no escape for those who engage in such activities.
What legal actions can be taken against those who vote illegally in federal elections?
Under federal law, individuals who vote illegally in federal elections can face fines and up to one year in prison, subject to specific exceptions outlined in the law.
How has ICE's approach to voter fraud led to legal disputes?
ICE's methods for identifying potential non-citizen voters have triggered legal challenges, particularly due to concerns about voter intimidation and the accuracy of the data used in these investigations.