Feds Arrest 28 Foreigners in California Voter Fraud Probe
Federal authorities arrest 28 foreigners in California over alleged voter fraud ahead of midterms.
2 min read
The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested 28 foreign nationals in California as part of a statewide crackdown on voter fraud ahead of the November midterm elections. The arrests, part of a broader Trump administration initiative, target individuals accused of illegally registering to vote or casting ballots in U.S. elections.
Operation Protect the Vote
Known as ‘Operation Protect the Vote,’ the operation involves the arrest of more than two dozen green card holders, with at least 11 currently in custody and others expected to be taken into custody soon. United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated that the Department of Justice has charged 113 aliens across 20 states with illegal voting and registration offenses in the last seven weeks alone.
Case Details and Charges
One of the cases involves Alexander Muñoz, a 72-year-old Belizean national, who was taken into custody by Homeland Security agents. Muñoz allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship and registered to vote in September 2019, voting in 2020, twice in 2022, and again in 2024. He is also accused of lying on his naturalization application and faces felony charges.
Cliff Sanon, a 39-year-old Haitian national, was arrested for allegedly voting in the November 2022 election and submitting eight voter registration applications in Philadelphia County in February 2026. If convicted, Sanon faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Dilea Ochoa-Perez, a 43-year-old Mexican national, was charged with voting as an alien in both the November 2022 and November 2024 general elections. Ochoa-Perez faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $200,000 fine, and a $50 special assessment.
Political Context
The arrests come as California Democrats have repeatedly pushed back against claims of widespread voter fraud in the state, where mail-in voting is common and no photo ID is required. A voter ID measure is now on the November ballot, though its prospects remain uncertain in the deep-blue state.
California is not the only state targeted in this crackdown. In September, two illegal immigrants in Pennsylvania were arrested over allegations of illegal voting, highlighting the federal government’s ongoing efforts to address voter fraud ahead of the midterms.
Source: Daily Wire
