Guatemalan Migrant Admits to Major Crimes in Alabama

A Guatemalan immigrant’s guilty plea to identity theft and voter fraud in Alabama exposes vulnerabilities in the U.S. voting system.

At a Glance

Angelica Maria Francisco, an undocumented immigrant, pleaded guilty to fraudulently using a U.S. citizen’s identity
Francisco used the stolen identity to vote in multiple elections and obtain U.S. passports
She faces charges including false claims of citizenship and aggravated identity theft
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen emphasizes the importance of ensuring only eligible American citizens vote

Undocumented Immigrant Admits to Years of Identity Fraud

In a startling case that has raised concerns about the integrity of the U.S. voting system, Angelica Maria Francisco, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges of identity theft and voter fraud in Alabama. Francisco admitted to assuming a false identity around 2011, which she then used to illegally participate in U.S. elections and obtain American passports.

According to court documents, Francisco used the stolen identity to register to vote in Alabama in 2016 and cast ballots in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. The gravity of her actions is underscored by the multiple U.S. passports she fraudulently obtained, which she used for international travel to Guatemala in 2012, 2015, 2018, and as recently as 2022.

Alabama Officials Respond to Voter Fraud Case

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has taken a firm stance on the issue, emphasizing the state’s commitment to electoral integrity. In response to the case, Allen stated:

“I’ve been very clear that a top priority of this office is ensuring only eligible American citizens are voting in AL elections,” Allen said. “I want to thank the U.S. State Dept & the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of AL for their diligent efforts in investigating and charging this individual. We will continue to assist law enforcement in every way possible as they prosecute individuals who vote illegally in our elections to the fullest extent of the law.”

The case was thoroughly investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), with assistance from various Alabama law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich is leading the prosecution, and a court date will be set for Francisco to formally enter her guilty plea.

Broader Implications for Election Security

This case has reignited debates about the security of the U.S. voting system and the potential for non-citizens to influence elections. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has raised concerns about how state welfare agencies may be inadvertently enabling illegal immigrants and non-citizens to register to vote.

“Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told Fox News Digital that state welfare agencies are giving illegal immigrants and other non-citizens a ‘mechanism’ to register to vote.”

Allen has been critical of Executive Order 14019, signed by President Biden, which requires state agencies to send voter registration information without verifying citizenship status. In response to these concerns, some lawmakers are pushing for stricter measures to ensure only eligible citizens can vote in U.S. elections.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, currently under discussion, aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Conservative Senators Ted Cruz and Mike Lee have advocated for attaching this act to spending bills, highlighting the urgency of addressing potential vulnerabilities in the voting system.

As the nation grapples with the implications of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of America’s democratic processes. The guilty plea of Angelica Maria Francisco underscores the need for vigilance and robust safeguards to protect the sanctity of the ballot box and ensure that only eligible American citizens participate in shaping the nation’s future through the electoral process.