Federal prosecutors have charged 28 individuals in California with immigration and voter-fraud offenses, accusing them of registering and in some cases casting ballots while not being U.S. citizens. Announcing the indictments on Monday, Assistant Attorney General Bill Essayli said the sweep was part of a broader effort to protect election integrity ahead of the 3 November mid-terms. According to charging documents, most defendants allegedly used state motor-vehicle registration systems to obtain voter credentials after presenting foreign passports or consular IDs. Prosecutors are also seeking a court order that would force California officials to set aside ballots from suspected non-citizens until citizenship status can be verified. Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan pushed back, saying his office follows all federal and state laws and that the Justice Department’s assertions are “unverified.” Although documented instances of non-citizen voting are statistically rare, the Trump Administration has made the issue a political and enforcement priority. Employers with foreign workers should note that criminal voter-fraud convictions can trigger immigration consequences—including removal or loss of permanent-resident status. Compliance advisers recommend updating orientation materials to remind foreign employees that only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections. The high-profile prosecutions also signal that the Department will use immigration records—including USCIS databases and CBP entry logs—to cross-check voter rolls. Companies sponsoring green-card or naturalization applications should ensure that employees maintain accurate address and status records to avoid mistaken identity during such sweeps.
Source: Associated Press
