Federal prosecutors charge seven non-citizens as Texas steps up its election enforcement
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged seven non-citizens in Texas over alleged illegal voting in federal elections. The group includes six lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders, and one undocumented immigrant. The cases involve alleged voting activity linked to U.S. elections between 2018 and 2024.
Six green card holders among those charged
According to federal prosecutors, six of the people charged were lawful permanent residents of the United States. Green card holders can legally live and work in the country, but they cannot vote in federal elections unless they become U.S. citizens.
The defendants reportedly came from countries including Nigeria, India, Mexico and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Prosecutors allege that some of them registered to vote or cast ballots despite not being U.S. citizens.
Four votes were reportedly counted in 2024
Six of the people charged allegedly cast ballots during the 2024 general election. Two of those ballots were provisional ballots that were not counted.
Based on the cases described by prosecutors, four votes were apparently counted. The number is extremely small compared with the more than 11.3 million votes cast in Texas during the 2024 general election.
One undocumented immigrant also faces charges
The case also includes an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who allegedly voted in a federal election. Prosecutors have presented the case as part of a wider federal effort to investigate voting by people who are not legally eligible to participate in federal elections.
The charges are allegations at this stage. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Why green card holders cannot vote in federal elections
A green card gives a person lawful permanent resident status, but it does not provide U.S. citizenship. Federal elections, including elections for president and Congress, are restricted to eligible U.S. citizens.
Rules for non-citizen voting can differ for certain local elections. Some jurisdictions in California, Maryland, Vermont and the District of Columbia allow non-citizens to vote in certain local elections, but that does not give green card holders the right to vote in federal elections.
Texas increases focus on non-citizen voting
The federal cases come as Texas authorities increase their focus on possible non-citizen voting and voter registration. State officials have been using databases and other checks to identify people who may not be eligible to vote.
However, appearing on a list as a possible non-citizen does not automatically mean that a person illegally voted. Officials must verify a person's citizenship status and voting history before taking further action.
The cases come amid a wider U.S. election debate
The Texas prosecutions have added to the national debate over non-citizen voting and election security. Federal officials have described the investigation as an effort to enforce laws requiring citizenship for federal voting.
At the same time, the seven criminal cases involve individual allegations and do not by themselves establish how widespread illegal non-citizen voting is across Texas or the United States.
What happens next?
The defendants will face the federal legal process, where prosecutors must establish the allegations against each individual. The cases could lead to further court proceedings, including hearings and potential trials.
The Department of Justice has emphasized that criminal charges are allegations and that defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
