A woman residing unlawfully in Alabama faces serious consequences for identity theft and voter fraud.
According to the Daily Caller, Angelica Maria Francisco, a 42-year-old Guatemalan national, received a 60-month prison sentence for stealing a U.S. citizen's identity and fraudulently participating in multiple American elections.
The Department of Justice revealed that Francisco, who was arrested in 2024 in Russellville, Alabama, had been using a stolen identity since 2011. She leveraged this false identity to obtain U.S. passports and cast votes in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, participating in both primary and general elections in Alabama.
Francisco's elaborate deception began in 2011 when she first assumed the identity of an American citizen. This stolen identity allowed her to secure a U.S. passport, which she then used to travel between the United States and Guatemala freely.
The scheme continued undetected for over a decade, during which she managed to register as a voter in Alabama and participate in multiple electoral processes.
U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating:
This sentence sends a clear message that any attempts by non-U.S. citizens to vote in the Northern District of Alabama are unacceptable and will result in serious consequences. Maintaining the sanctity of the U.S. election system is one of the most important responsibilities of federal law enforcement.
The criminal charges against Francisco were extensive. She pleaded guilty to multiple serious offenses, including two counts of false claims of citizenship related to voting, aggravated identity theft, five counts of passport fraud, and making false statements in a passport application.
The incident occurs amid heightened national attention on election integrity. In October, the Biden administration successfully prevented Alabama's Secretary of State from implementing a program designed to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. This intervention sparked debate about the balance between election security and voter access.
Similar cases have emerged across the country. In Arizona, America First Legal initiated legal action against state officials for withholding information about approximately 200,000 registered voters who allegedly failed to provide citizenship proof. The situation gained additional significance when Michigan authorities charged a Chinese national with illegal voting just days before the 2024 presidential election.
These cases have intensified discussions about the vulnerability of American electoral systems to unauthorized participation. Despite objections from various advocacy groups, these incidents demonstrate the potential for non-citizens to cast ballots in U.S. elections.
The case against Francisco resulted from coordinated efforts between federal agencies. The Department of Justice's prosecution led to significant consequences for the defendant, reflecting the seriousness of election-related crimes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was involved in the investigation, though specific details about Francisco's immigration history were not immediately available.
When Escalona announced the sentence, she emphasized her office's commitment to investigating and prosecuting individuals who compromise election integrity. The 60-month prison term represents one of the more severe penalties imposed for this type of offense, likely influenced by the multiple charges and extended period of fraudulent activity.
The conviction adds to a growing body of cases that demonstrate the real-world implications of election security breaches. Law enforcement officials view such prosecutions as crucial deterrents against future attempts to undermine voting systems.
