A Colombian national in Florida illegally participated in U.S. elections for 20 years by using another person’s personal information, Fox News reported.
The man was sentenced to three years in prison. He was found guilty of identity theft and making false statements regarding his citizenship.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the offender used a stolen Social Security number and passport to register to vote and successfully cast ballots, including during the 2020 presidential election.
Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin emphasized that protecting election integrity is directly linked to national security.
“Only Americans should choose American leaders,” he noted.
According to investigators, the man began his criminal activity in 2003, when he obtained a passport and a Florida driver’s license using forged documents.
In addition to voting, he used the assumed identity to obtain various benefits and, in 2017, even managed to secure residency status for his fiancée. After serving his prison sentence, the offender will be deported from the country.
This case is part of a large-scale DHS campaign to identify illegal migrants who falsify information to participate in U.S. political life.
Similar charges had previously been brought against citizens of Slovakia and Mexico. The issue of illegal registration remains a serious problem; according to the agency, thousands of such cases have been discovered in California alone.
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