Justice Department charges more than 2 dozen in California sweep targeting alleged noncitizen voters – NBC Los Angeles

Justice Department charges more than 2 dozen in California sweep targeting alleged noncitizen voters  NBC Los Angeles

Federal authorities charged more than two dozen foreign nationals Monday in California as part of a statewide sweep targeting people who officials say have… Federal authorities charged more than two dozen foreign nationals Monday in California as part of a statewide sweep targeting people who officials say have illegally registered and voted in U.S. elections. Conan Nolan reports for NBC4 at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19, 2026. Federal authorities charged more than two dozen foreign nationals Monday in California as part of a statewide sweep targeting people who officials say have illegally registered and voted in U.S. elections. The arrests are part of a Trump administration effort to root out noncitizen voting ahead of next month's midterm elections, even though data shows that the problem is incredibly rare, difficult to prove and has not been shown to change the outcome of races.

They also reflect a further escalation in a simmering voter roll fight between the federal government and California that came into focus last week when the Justice Department sued the state and later warned that local election workers who knowingly process or tabulate ballots submitted by noncitizen voters are at risk of investigation and potential prosecution. The Justice Department said the 28 people who were charged as part of a sweep dubbed Operation Protect the Vote are lawful