Among six foreign nationals facing accusations from the U.S. federal prosecutors in Florida are two Cuban residents with permanent status in the United States. These individuals are charged with illegally voting in the 2022 and 2024 elections, despite not holding U.S. citizenship. One of these Cuban nationals could potentially face up to five years in prison if found guilty.
The new charges were revealed on Thursday, October 22, by the U.S. Department of Justice, as part of a broader federal effort to address alleged electoral misconduct involving non-citizens.
The two Cubans, noted by their initials as J.O.S.S., aged 60, and L.M.P., aged 72, both hold legal permanent residency in the country, according to the Middle District of Florida's prosecution office.
The indictment claims that J.O.S.S. registered to vote in 2022 and participated in that year's federal general elections and those of 2024, fully aware of his non-citizen status.
The charges against him include making a false claim of U.S. citizenship for voting purposes and illegal electoral participation by a foreign national. If convicted, he could face up to five years in federal prison for the false declaration and an additional year for the electoral offense, as per the maximum penalties for these violations.
For L.M.P., aged 72, the prosecution alleges that he also voted in the 2022 and 2024 federal general elections without meeting the citizenship requirement.
He faces a charge of illegal voting as a foreign national, carrying a maximum potential sentence of one year in federal prison.
Four additional foreign nationals are also facing charges. Federal prosecutor Gregory W. Kehoe announced that the accusations extend to four other individuals with legal permanent residency in the United States. These include a 81-year-old Ecuadorian citizen, two Canadians aged 69 and 55, and a 37-year-old Brazilian.
According to the Department of Justice, three of the six foreigners were formally indicted by a federal grand jury for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to vote and for illegally participating in elections. The remaining three are charged with illegal voting through indictments filed by the prosecution.
The investigations were conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Florida Department of State's Election Crimes Office, and the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections office. Authorities emphasized that these charges do not equate to guilt, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Cubans Among Those Previously Charged in U.S. Electoral Fraud Cases
These new cases add to a series of federal charges announced in recent weeks for alleged violations of U.S. election laws. On October 6, a 64-year-old Cuban permanent resident was arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, accused of illegally voting in the 2022 and 2024 federal elections. Although the charges focus on those two elections, prosecutors allege the man participated in at least 15 elections over the past 20 years, including 13 federal ones.
On October 5, the Justice Department filed charges against 16 foreign nationals for alleged electoral offenses in various states. Among the accused was another Cuban, aged 68, a legal permanent resident, who allegedly voted without U.S. citizenship in the 2024 general elections in Louisiana.
The crackdown on electoral fraud has also intensified in Florida. In September, Governor Ron DeSantis and state Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest and prosecution of 20 individuals for suspected electoral irregularities. State authorities reported that 16 of these individuals were foreigners who purportedly registered to vote after falsely declaring U.S. citizenship.
Federal investigations have also involved an extensive review of electoral records. Documents released by the organization Democracy Forward showed that HSI processed over 99 million voter records to identify potential citizenship-related irregularities.
Understanding Illegal Voting Allegations in Florida
What are the consequences for illegal voting by non-citizens in the U.S.?
Non-citizens found guilty of illegal voting can face criminal charges, which may result in fines and imprisonment. The severity of the punishment depends on the specific charges and state laws.
How does the U.S. identify non-citizens voting illegally?
The identification process involves reviewing voter registration records, often using federal databases and investigations by agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to verify citizenship status.
Have there been similar cases of illegal voting by Cubans in the U.S.?
Yes, there have been multiple cases involving Cuban nationals accused of illegal voting in the United States, reflecting a broader pattern of electoral violations among non-citizens.