USCIS Helps Florida Charge Non-Citizens for Voting Illegally
USCIS helped Florida find and charge 16 non-citizens who voted in elections when they were not allowed to.
Affects: Green Card · Source: USCIS
What happened
USCIS helped Florida investigate some people who might have broken election laws.
These investigations led to criminal charges against 16 non-citizens.
These individuals were accused of voting in Florida elections when they were not legally allowed to.
They had falsely stated they were U.S. citizens when they signed up to vote. This is against the law for people who are not citizens.
In addition, four other people were also charged. They voted even though they had serious past crimes, called felony convictions, and were still on probation. Voting while on probation for a felony is also against the law in Florida.
By the numbers
- 16 — non-citizens charged with unlawful voting
- 4 — individuals charged with voting while having felony convictions and on probation
- 10 years — maximum prison sentence for most charged individuals
- 20 years — maximum prison sentence for one charged individual
The bigger picture
Before this investigation, some non-citizens in Florida registered and voted in elections. This happened even though only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in federal and most state elections. This created a problem because it meant people who were not eligible were taking part in elections.
The government says it is doing this to make sure elections are fair and that only eligible people vote. USCIS helped Florida officials by using its records to check the immigration status of voters. This helps to find and stop immigration fraud. USCIS also wants to protect the voting rights of U.S. citizens.
What this means for you
Green card applicants
If you are applying for a green card, it is very important to understand that you cannot vote in federal or state elections. Only U.S. citizens have this right. Voting when you are not a citizen can cause serious problems for your immigration application and could even lead to it being denied.
Green card holders
If you have a green card, you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, but you are not a U.S. citizen. This means you do not have the right to vote in federal or state elections. Voting illegally can lead to criminal charges, large fines, and even jail time. It can also put your green card at risk and may lead to deportation from the U.S.
All immigrants
This news is a clear reminder for all immigrants, no matter their status, that voting in federal or state elections is only for U.S. citizens. It is very important to know the rules about what you can and cannot do based on your immigration status. Always be honest about your citizenship when dealing with government forms or processes.
Employers
This announcement does not directly change anything for employers. It focuses on individual actions related to voting laws. Employers should continue to follow all immigration and employment laws as usual.
What you should do
- Nothing right now — just good to know that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal and state elections.
Key dates
- 2026-09-29: Date USCIS released this news announcement
Words explained
- USCIS
- This stands for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is the government agency that handles immigration benefits like green cards and citizenship.
- Lawful Permanent Resident
- This is a person who has permission to live and work permanently in the U.S. They are also called a green card holder.
- Unlawfully voting
- This means voting in an election when you are not legally allowed to, such as when you are not a U.S. citizen.
- Felony conviction
- This is a legal term for a serious crime. People with felony convictions may lose certain rights, like the right to vote, even if they are citizens.
- Charges
- When someone is charged, it means the government believes they broke a law and is starting a court case against them.
Common questions
Can I vote if I have a green card?
No, if you have a green card, you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, not a U.S. citizen. You cannot vote in federal or state elections in the United States. Only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in these important elections.
What happens if a non-citizen votes?
Voting as a non-citizen is a serious crime. It can lead to criminal charges, large fines, and even time in jail. It can also cause major problems with your immigration status, including the possibility of being deported from the U.S. and losing your chance to become a citizen later.
How did the government find out about these people voting illegally?
Florida election officials first noticed some registered voters who might not be U.S. citizens. They then asked USCIS for help. USCIS used its records to confirm the immigration status of these individuals, which helped the police with their investigation.
Does this mean my immigration application will be checked more closely now?
The announcement does not say that all immigration applications will be checked more closely. This news is specifically about investigations into people who voted unlawfully. However, USCIS always works to prevent fraud in all immigration processes, so it's always important to be truthful.
This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.