Federal agents swooped into California Monday, arresting 28 non‑citizens accused of voting illegally just weeks before the November midterms. The operation, dubbed Operation Protect the Vote, targets alleged ballot‑stuffing across the state.
Federal Crackdown on Voter Fraud
Authorities say the suspects are green‑card holders who registered or cast ballots in U.S. elections, violating federal law. The arrests mark the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s push to root out illegal voting.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli said at a press conference, “We began arresting these individuals early this morning; at least 11 are in custody and the rest will follow shortly.” He added that the DOJ has charged 113 aliens in 20 states over the past seven weeks.
Homeland Security agents knocked on the door of 72‑year‑old Belizean national Alexander Muñoz at 6 a.m., taking him into custody. He allegedly claimed U.S. citizenship, registered in September 2019, and voted in 2020, twice in 2022 and again in 2024, while also lying on his naturalization application, according to the New York Post.
California Democrats have dismissed widespread fraud claims, noting the state mails ballots to all voters and does not require photo ID. A voter‑ID measure appears on the November ballot, though its chances remain dim in the deep‑blue state.
In September, two illegal immigrants in Pennsylvania were arrested on federal charges for alleged illegal voting, The Daily Wire reported. They face federal prosecution for violating election laws.
Haitian national Cliff Sanon, 39, faces charges after allegedly submitting eight voter registration applications in Philadelphia County in February 2026. He is accused of voting in the November 2022 election and could receive up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment if convicted.
Mexican national Dilea Ochoa‑Perez, 43, was charged with two counts of voting as an alien after casting ballots in Chester County in both the November 2022 and November 2024 elections. Conviction carries a maximum of two years in prison, a $200,000 fine and a $50 special assessment.
