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Immigrants facing charges for alleged voter registration violations

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

Federal authorities in California charged more than two dozen legal permanent residents accused of illegally registering to vote or voter fraud during a Monday operation. Most of those targeted had applied for US citizenship and now face charges related to lying on forms or during interviews. These charges could lead to years in prison and thwart their naturalisation efforts.

One case involves José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, who applied for citizenship in October 2025 after living in the country for 40 years as a legal permanent resident. Federal authorities alleged he improperly claimed to be a citizen in 2007 when registering to vote and later lied about it on immigration paperwork. The government has not accused him of casting a ballot. Bañuelos-Díaz told the Associated Press he did not know he had registered to vote until his arrest outside his Los Angeles home, though he recalls obtaining a driver's licence around 2007. In California, people are prompted to register to vote when applying for a driver's licence.

'I have never voted because I know I can't vote,' he said. 'If there was a mistake, they should have called me out right away, not 20 years later.' He was released from custody after his arrest but faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Immigrants facing charges for alleged voter registration violations
Image: Clickorlando

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In this story: José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz · California · Homeland Security Investigations

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