Source: Fox News
Introduction
Federal immigration enforcement authorities have initiated deportation proceedings against a long-term lawful permanent resident following revelations that he cast an illegal ballot in the 2020 presidential election. The case underscores a widening federal initiative focused on safeguarding electoral integrity and identifying noncitizens who participate in domestic balloting.
Administration officials expressed strong condemnation over the incident, pointing to the individual's extensive criminal history alongside the voting infraction. The White House emphasized that noncitizen voting undermines the democratic process and violates the foundational parameters of legal residency.
What Happened
Homeland Security Investigations agents operating out of Atlanta detained Anthony Tyrone Higgs in Decatur, Georgia, on September 3. Following his arrest, custody of the Bahamian national was transferred to Enforcement and Removal Operations, the division responsible for managing migrant deportations.
Investigators determined that Higgs participated unlawfully in the 2020 election while maintaining permanent resident status. Consequently, the Department of Homeland Security moved swiftly to revoke his immigration privileges and initiate removal proceedings.
Background
Higgs originally entered the United States in October 1976 during the administration of President Gerald Ford, eventually securing a green card. Federal authorities noted that his history extends far beyond the voting irregularity, encompassing multiple serious criminal charges over the years.
According to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the suspect's rap sheet features convictions and charges for armed robbery, domestic violence, and assaulting a police officer. Additional offenses documented in his file include resisting arrest, two counts of grand larceny, and two counts of possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1976 | Anthony Tyrone Higgs is admitted into the United States as a lawful permanent resident. |
| November 2020 | Higgs illegally casts a ballot in the U.S. presidential election. |
| September 3 | Homeland Security Investigations agents arrest Higgs in Decatur, Georgia. |
Key Details
Administration officials maintain that illegal participation by ineligible voters directly diminishes the value of lawful ballots cast by American citizens. This enforcement action coincides with several parallel federal investigations targeting noncitizen voting irregularities across multiple jurisdictions.
Recent enforcement actions highlight a broader nationwide push by federal agencies. In August, an ICE investigation resulted in a three-year prison sentence for Colombian national Carlos Jaramillo-Grajales, who utilized identity theft to vote illegally for more than two decades in Florida. Additional noncitizen voting cases have surfaced in New Jersey involving a Slovakian national, in Louisiana involving an Australian national, and in Philadelphia involving Mauritanian national Mahady Sacko.
Impact
Federal prosecutors and immigration officials argue that rigorous enforcement of voting laws is vital to maintaining public trust in democratic institutions. Law enforcement agencies reiterate that individuals who exploit legal channels or engage in voter fraud will face aggressive prosecution and subsequent removal.
The Department of Homeland Security has previously alleged that significant numbers of noncitizens may remain registered on voter rolls within key battleground states. These findings continue to fuel legislative and executive scrutiny regarding voter list maintenance and cross-agency data sharing.
What Happens Next
Higgs remains in the custody of Enforcement and Removal Operations while undergoing formal removal proceedings. Federal officials have confirmed that he will be expelled from the country upon the conclusion of these legal processes, ensuring he can no longer reside in the United States or participate in domestic elections.
