U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Arrests Two Individuals for Illegally Voting

WASHINGTON – Two individuals have been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly voting in past U.S. elections, according to statements from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These arrests highlight ongoing efforts by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE officers to investigate and address allegations of voter fraud.

On September 3, HSI El Paso apprehended Ludwig Uriel Espejo-Carrillo, a citizen of Mexico, who is facing administrative charges for unlawful voting and making false claims to U.S. citizenship. Espejo-Carrillo is accused of having illegally cast a vote in a past election in 2015. He had previously obtained Lawful Permanent Resident status in July 2013 under the Obama Administration. Espejo-Carrillo is currently being held in ICE custody and awaits removal proceedings.

In a separate incident, ICE officers arrested Helda Araceli Mendez-Merida in Indianapolis, Indiana, also on September 3. Mendez-Merida, identified as a citizen of Guatemala, is accused of unlawfully voting in a national election. She had illegally entered the United States through Arizona in September 2015 and was subsequently released into the country by the Obama Administration, according to DHS. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal against Mendez-Merida on September 3, 2019. She is also in ICE custody pending deportation.

These arrests highlight the government’s position that voting in U.S. elections is a right reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens. The actions taken by ICE are part of a broader commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. For residents, these events serve as a reminder that non-citizens are prohibited from voting in U.S. elections, and violations can lead to arrest and deportation.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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