The Justice Department announced on Oct. 19 that 28 noncitizens living in California face election-related criminal charges, alleging that they fraudulently registered to vote and that most cast ballots in U.S. elections.
Federal authorities arrested 11 of the 28 defendants on Monday as part of “Operation Protect the Vote,” a coordinated effort involving all four U.S. attorney’s offices in California.
All 28 defendants are lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, according to the DOJ.
Although green card holders have legal immigration status in the United States, they are not citizens and are not permitted to vote in U.S. elections, the DOJ said. …