Caribbean nationals among hundreds charged in US voter fraud crackdown

Several Caribbean nationals are among hundreds of immigrants facing charges in the United States as federal authorities intensify investigations into alleged illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and other election-related offenses.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified nationals of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Haiti among those arrested in connection with alleged violations of federal election laws.

The arrests form part of a wider enforcement effort by the Trump administration, with the US Department of Justice reporting that 239 people have been charged with voting-related offenses since President Donald Trump returned to office.

Among those arrested is 54-year-old Jamaican national Antonio Mitchell, a lawful permanent resident accused of voting illegally in a federal election.

Federal authorities also allege that Mitchell made false statements on his application for US citizenship in 2025 by denying that he had previously registered to vote or participated in elections.

Another Jamaican, Kadian Hohnson, has reportedly been detained for allegedly voting in the 2024 US election.

ICE also identified Trinidad and Tobago national Sade Shashauna Guppy, who is accused of voting illegally in 2022, and Cuban national Andres Garcia, who faces allegations of voting in a federal election despite not being a US citizen.

Haitian national Sirena Prosper was also named among those accused of illegally casting ballots during the 2024 election.

ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs Micah Bock said federal authorities would continue investigating individuals suspected of violating election laws.

“Voting in American elections is a right reserved for eligible voters,” Bock said, warning that those who knowingly violate federal election laws could face serious legal consequences.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department announced on November 2 that 63 people had been charged in its latest round of election-related cases, including allegations of illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration and false claims of US citizenship.

According to the department, 195 immigrants had been charged with illegal voting and registration offenses across 25 states over the preceding nine weeks, bringing the total number of people charged with voting fraud-related offenses since the beginning of the Trump administration to 239.

US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department would continue pursuing suspected violations of election laws.

“Today’s announcement marks the largest surge of voter-fraud arrests since President Trump returned to office,” Blanche said.

The Justice Department's announcement also identified several additional Caribbean nationals facing charges, including Jamaicans Karl Anthony Wilkins, Garfield St. Vincent Bruce and Antonio Lyttle.

Wilkins, a 62-year-old lawful permanent resident, is accused of falsely claiming US citizenship to register to vote in North Carolina in 2018. Prosecutors allege that he subsequently voted in the 2020, 2022 and 2024 general elections, as well as the 2020 primary election.

Bruce, 48, is accused of voting in Tennessee's 2024 election and falsely representing himself as a US citizen on a voter registration application.

Lyttle, 68, is charged with voting illegally in Pennsylvania during the 2024 general election.

Other Caribbean nationals identified in the department's announcement include Barbadian Phillip Alexander Carter, Bermudian Gregory Eugene Wade, Trinidad and Tobago nationals Ali Khan and Allison Melissa Wilkes, and Edread Ray Stanley of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The cases involve both lawful permanent residents and individuals without legal immigration status, with prosecutors alleging violations ranging from casting ballots in federal elections to providing false information on voter registration or naturalization documents.

Under US federal law, noncitizens, including green card holders, are generally prohibited from voting in federal elections. Certain jurisdictions permit noncitizens to vote in limited local elections, but those exceptions do not extend to federal contests.

The charges could also carry immigration consequences, as unlawful voting and false claims of US citizenship can affect eligibility for naturalization and, depending on the circumstances, lead to deportation proceedings.

Federal officials have characterized the prosecutions as part of efforts to strengthen election integrity. However, the number of people charged does not establish how widespread noncitizen voting is nationwide or demonstrate that the alleged offenses affected election outcomes.

All individuals facing charges are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.