ICE HSI New Jersey arrests Jamaican national accused of voting illegally over 22-year span

WASHINGTON - ICE's Homeland Security Investigations New Jersey arrested Antonio Mitchell Oct. 28 for illegally voting in a range of elections between 2000 and 2022. Mitchell, a 54-year-old lawful permanent resident from Jamaica, has arrests for burglary, resisting arrest, and possession of marijuana for sale. These charges were ultimately dropped.

"Voting in American elections is a right reserved for eligible voters," said ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs Micah Bock. "Those who knowingly violate federal election laws should understand that their actions carry serious consequences. ICE cannot ignore suspected federal crimes simply because they involve elections. The law applies to everyone, and we intend to enforce it."

According to investigators, Mitchell registered to vote and participated in multiple federal primary and general elections over a 22-year span, despite being ineligible because he was not a U.S. citizen.

In January 2025, Mitchell submitted a naturalization application in which he allegedly falsely stated he had never registered to vote or voted in a federal, state or local election. Those statements became part of a joint investigation involving HSI, the FBI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Federal law generally prohibits noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents, from voting in elections for federal office. Knowingly making materially false statements during the naturalization process carries criminal penalties.