Trump DOJ Announces Election-Crime Charges Across Five States

The Trump administration announced a sweeping round of federal election-related criminal charges Monday, targeting dozens of foreign nationals accused of illegally voting, fraudulently registering to vote, and falsely claiming American citizenship in elections across five states.

The Department of Justice said 48 noncitizens face charges stemming from alleged election violations in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York, and Nevada. The cases involve elections dating back several years, including the 2022 midterms and the 2024 presidential election.

According to federal prosecutors, the defendants include lawful permanent residents and at least one individual living in the United States illegally. Some allegedly cast ballots in multiple federal elections, while others are accused of concealing their voting histories while applying for American citizenship.

The largest concentration of defendants is in California, where federal prosecutors outlined cases involving 28 individuals across four judicial districts. The allegations range from unlawful voting to making false statements under oath during the naturalization process.

In the Central District of California, prosecutors charged 13 defendants with felonies, including offenses involving false statements on citizenship applications. One defendant, Belizean national Omar Alexander Muñoz, 72, allegedly registered to vote in 2019 by falsely identifying himself as an American citizen.

Authorities claim Muñoz subsequently participated in elections in 2020, 2022, and 2024 before falsely denying that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship during his naturalization proceedings.

Another California defendant, Cambodian national Butleng Taing, 43, allegedly registered to vote in 2021, participated in the 2022 and 2024 elections, and later provided false information on citizenship paperwork.

Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania announced charges against nine foreign nationals across two judicial districts. Among them is Alfredo Santiesteban, a 73-year-old Cuban national described by authorities as an illegal alien who allegedly voted in the 2024 general election.

Other Pennsylvania defendants include lawful permanent residents from Poland, Israel, Kenya, Russia, the Netherlands, and Greece accused of participating in federal elections despite lacking American citizenship.

Florida prosecutors separately charged six individuals with election-related offenses, including allegations of falsely claiming citizenship and voting illegally. Several defendants allegedly participated in both the 2022 and 2024 federal general elections.

In New York, authorities announced four cases, including three in the Eastern District involving foreign nationals accused of submitting fraudulent voter registrations and voting in 2024.

Prosecutors said two defendants acknowledged during voluntary interviews that they had voted despite knowing they were not American citizens.

Nevada authorities also charged a Filipino national accused of voting in a federal election involving presidential and congressional contests.

The announcement comes as the country approaches the November 3 midterm elections, with election integrity remaining a major issue in national political debates.

Federal law generally prohibits noncitizens from voting in elections for federal office, including lawful permanent residents who have not obtained American citizenship.

The Justice Department’s announcement follows additional election-related prosecutions earlier this month, including charges involving 16 noncitizens in North Carolina, New York, and Idaho announced October 16.

While the new cases involve allegations spanning multiple election cycles, the department did not establish that the alleged violations changed any election outcome or reflected widespread noncitizen voting.