In a significant move underscoring the ongoing issue of illegal voting, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has arrested Angelica Maria Francisco, an illegal alien, on multiple charges connected to fraudulent voting. Francisco, a 42-year-old Guatemalan national, is the first illegal alien apprehended this year in connection with voting fraud, marking a notable escalation in efforts to crack down on illegal voting as the 2024 election cycle approaches.
Francisco was charged with making false claims of U.S. citizenship, applying for and using a U.S. passport under a false identity, and aggravated identity theft. According to the DOJ, Francisco had assumed a false identity as early as 2011, which she used to vote in multiple federal elections, including the 2016 and 2020 elections. These charges, according to court filings, are part of a broader investigation aimed at securing election integrity.
DOJ: Illegal immigrant stole US citizen's identity to vote in multiple elections, obtain American passport https://t.co/Ar5zI0MDCW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 8, 2024
This arrest comes at a time when Republicans, including Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, have raised concerns about noncitizens registering to vote. Recently, Alabama officials removed over 3,000 noncitizens from the state's voter rolls after discovering they were improperly registered. Similarly, states like Georgia and North Carolina are also grappling with concerns over noncitizen registration, as voting integrity becomes a central issue ahead of the 2024 elections.
Francisco’s arrest is emblematic of a larger problem, with thousands of illegal immigrants believed to be on voter rolls across the country. Critics argue that voter fraud, though statistically rare, has the potential to undermine trust in the electoral process, particularly in swing states where elections can be decided by narrow margins. Advocates for stronger voter ID laws and stricter enforcement are citing this case as proof of the need for additional safeguards.
Google is back in a federal courtroom today, delivering opening statements in a new DOJ case against the company. After a judge declared the search engine an illegal monopoly last month, regulators are now targeting the online ad technology, calling it a “trifecta of monopolies.” pic.twitter.com/dlRwUr2z3o
— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) September 9, 2024
Republican lawmakers, including Senator Thom Tillis, have been pressuring the DOJ for months to increase efforts in identifying and prosecuting illegal voting. In a recent letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, several senators demanded to know what steps the DOJ was taking to prevent noncitizens from voting. The letter noted the increasing number of illegal voters found in states like Ohio, where Secretary of State Frank LaRose recently reported 138 noncitizens voting and another 459 registered without casting ballots.
The issue of noncitizen voting has gained national attention, especially after investigations revealed that illegal immigrants are being mistakenly—or in some cases, fraudulently—registered through various federal programs. Critics argue that the Biden administration’s immigration policies exacerbate the problem by allowing millions of illegal immigrants to remain in the country. Former Trump advisor Stephen Miller recently accused the Biden administration of deliberately facilitating illegal voting by issuing Social Security numbers and registration forms to illegal immigrants.
In response to mounting pressure, state officials across the U.S. have begun tightening voter registration procedures, with Republican-led states proposing amendments to explicitly bar noncitizens from voting. Alabama, Ohio, and Florida are among the states that have passed laws aimed at preventing illegal voting. In many cases, these laws require proof of citizenship at the time of registration, a measure that proponents argue will reduce the risk of noncitizen participation in elections.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, this arrest is likely just the beginning of a broader crackdown. Francisco's case will likely serve as a test for how vigorously federal prosecutors will pursue other noncitizens who have managed to vote in U.S. elections. With voter fraud becoming a heated topic, both sides of the political aisle are preparing for a contentious fight over election security in the months to come.
