US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained a legal permanent resident in New Jersey on suspicion of voting in the 2022 federal elections.
The individual, who holds a green card, was arrested after authorities alleged he cast a ballot in a federal contest, an act that carries severe legal penalties for non-citizens.
The suspect has denied the allegations, stating that he did not intend to vote while applying for citizenship.
If convicted, the individual faces up to 10 years in prison.
The case underscores the strict enforcement posture regarding voting eligibility, where even legal residents risk deportation and criminal charges for participating in federal elections.
This development follows reports that ICE has obtained local voter files in multiple counties to cross-reference immigration status with voting records.