The federal government has issued a warning to noncitizens who participated in U.S. elections, implying that legal action is forthcoming.
On Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed it had filed charges against 16 individuals across seven states for casting ballots illegally, registering under false citizenship claims, and other related fraudulent activities. According to a press statement from the DOJ’s Office of Public Affairs, many of those charged are noncitizens accused of voting in federal elections.
Alongside the announcements, the DOJ took a direct approach on social media, stating, “Let this be a warning to ANYONE trying to cheat and undermine our elections.” They further encouraged the public to “Spread the word!”
Charges were brought in several states, including Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan. Investigators uncovered additional allegations of wire fraud, passport fraud, and illegal firearm purchases during their investigations.
In Georgia, for instance, Analiea Milliscent Eccles, a 44-year-old Venezuelan national and DACA recipient, reportedly voted nine times from 2008 to 2024, facing charges for voting as a noncitizen and falsely claiming citizenship. Meanwhile, in Idaho, Avila Gomez, a Mexican national, has been indicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud and passport fraud, after allegedly voting in 2022 and 2024.
In New Jersey, Santana Coulibaly, a lawful permanent resident who registered in 2016, voted in the 2018 and 2020 elections, and submitted a provisional ballot last year, has also come under scrutiny. Notably, eight of the defendants are reported to reside in Texas.
Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General of the Fraud Division, mentioned to Fox News that this administration has now charged 50 noncitizens regarding illegal voting, emphasizing, “America’s elections are for Americans.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin informed Fox News that investigation efforts have revealed over 1,620 open cases, resulted in 151 arrests, and they are currently examining more than 300,000 suspected cases. He remarked that while one case of illegal voting is concerning, the volume of ongoing investigations—alongside the arrests—was simply unacceptable.
Importantly, the DOJ has made it clear that these charges are merely accusations and that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
