Federal law‑enforcement officers arrested five lawful permanent residents in Florida on Oct. 21‑22, charging them with voting unlawfully in the 2022 and 2024 federal elections. The operation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Who was arrested and what they’re accused of
The individuals, all green‑card holders but not U.S. citizens, face federal charges that require citizenship to vote in federal contests. They include:
- Diane Wendy Curley, 55, a Canadian citizen who obtained permanent residency in 1994, is charged with voting in 2022 and 2024. She also has prior convictions for battery on a law‑enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence.
- Luis Manuel Perez, a Cuban national granted residency in 1985, is charged with voting in 2022 and 2024 and has a previous battery arrest.
- Jaimie Orlando Sosa Sardina, a Cuban national who became a resident in 1968, is charged with registering to vote in 2022 and casting ballots in 2022 and 2024. He previously was convicted of two counts of aggravated battery on a police officer and resisting an officer with violence.
- Pedro Igor Almeida Franco, a Brazilian national who received legal status in 2005, is charged with voting in 2024.
- Lise Marie Johnson, a Canadian citizen who obtained permanent residency in 2015, is charged with registering to vote in 2021 and voting in 2022.
Administration response
“Thanks to the great work of the patriots at HSI, as well as our state and local partners, five more non‑citizens have been arrested and charged for illegally voting in past elections,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “Every time a non‑citizen votes, it steals the vote of a hard‑working American citizen. The Trump Administration is committed to restoring election integrity and making sure that only American citizens are electing America’s leaders.”
Broader context
Federal officials say the Florida cases are part of a nationwide crackdown on non‑citizen participation in U.S. elections. Recent months have seen similar voter‑fraud and registration charges filed against foreign nationals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri and Minnesota.
The arrests underscore the Trump administration’s focus on safeguarding the ballot box. By enforcing the citizenship requirement for federal voting, the administration aims to deter future violations and reassure voters that each ballot reflects a legitimate American voice.
What this means for Floridians
Local law‑enforcement partners worked closely with federal investigators, demonstrating a coordinated effort to protect election integrity at the state level. Residents are reminded that voting is a sacred right reserved for U.S. citizens, and any attempt to circumvent that law will be pursued aggressively.
Community leaders and faith‑based groups have expressed support for the enforcement actions, emphasizing the importance of honest elections for the health of the republic and the preservation of family‑centered values.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
