Federal immigration officials announced Wednesday that Anthony Tyrone Higgs, a Bahamian national who entered the United States in 1976 as a lawful permanent resident, was arrested in Decatur, Georgia, after investigators uncovered that he illegally cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election. The arrest underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on protecting election integrity and enforcing immigration law.
Criminal history and illegal voting
According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Higgs has a documented rap sheet that includes armed robbery, domestic violence, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, two counts of grand larceny and two counts of illegal weapon possession during violent crimes. In addition to these offenses, HSI confirmed that Higgs voted in the 2020 election despite not being a U.S. citizen.
Administration response
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital, “This alien was a guest in our country who forfeited his right to be in the U.S. when he committed these violent crimes and voted in the 2020 election. Any non‑citizens who vote illegally in our elections will be arrested and removed. American elections are only for Americans.” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin echoed the sentiment, stating, “On top of all that, he illegally voted in the 2020 election. Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of ICE, this criminal will be removed from our country and can never interfere in our elections again.”
Legal proceedings
Higgs was taken into custody by the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division of ICE and is now in removal proceedings. The Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security has moved to revoke his green‑card status, citing both his violent criminal conduct and his violation of federal voting laws.
Broader enforcement effort
The case is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal voting and immigration violations. DHS cited several recent examples, including a Colombian illegal immigrant sentenced for identity‑theft voting, a Slovakian national caught voting in the 2022 midterms, and an Australian national accused of voting in both 2022 and 2024 elections in Louisiana. In each instance, federal authorities emphasized that illegal voting undermines the sanctity of American elections.
Why this matters for communities
For families and faith‑based communities across the nation, the administration’s actions reinforce the principle that the ballot box is reserved for citizens who respect the rule of law. Protecting election integrity safeguards the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and ensures that elected officials truly represent the will of the people.
What’s next
Higgs remains in ICE custody while immigration judges review his case. If removal is ordered, he will be deported to the Bahamas, ending his ability to threaten public safety or influence future elections. The administration says it will continue to prioritize the removal of non‑citizens who break the law and jeopardize the democratic process.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
