A federal grand jury in Minneapolis has indicted ten immigrants, including three Liberians, for allegedly voting or registering to vote in US elections while not being American citizens. The Liberians, Bhator Konah Bryant, Alan Barbu Kargbo, and Chis Adam Pettiquoi, are among those charged. They face penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for falsely claiming citizenship to vote.
Prosecutors allege that Bryant, 61, falsely claimed to be a US citizen when she registered to vote on October 18, 2024, but did not cast a ballot. Kargbo, 48, and Pettiquoi, 43, are accused of falsely claiming citizenship and voting in Minnesota on November 5, 2024. All three have appeared before a federal judge and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charges have significant implications for the Liberians, who could face deportation if convicted. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that immigrants who vote in US elections will face consequences, including criminal charges and deportation. For the three Liberians, this could mean being sent back to Liberia, a country they may have left decades ago.
The Liberian community in Minnesota, one of the largest in the US, is centered in Brooklyn Park and the suburbs around Minneapolis. Many Liberians came to the US as refugees fleeing the civil wars of the 1990s. The Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2019 provided a path to green cards and eventually, the right to vote, for many Liberians.
The case was investigated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations, with help from US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The indictment is only an accusation, and the three Liberians are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The charges have sparked concern in the Liberian community, which worries that the incident could cast a shadow over thousands of Liberians who obtained their right to vote through proper channels. The community has fought for its place in the US, and many are concerned about the impact of the charges on their reputation.
The three Liberians will face a lengthy legal process, with potential penalties including prison time and deportation. Their case highlights the complexities of voting rights and immigration in the US, and the consequences of alleged voting irregularities.
Key points
- The three Liberians face up to five years in prison and deportation for allegedly voting or registering to vote while not US citizens.
- The charges have significant implications for the Liberian community in Minnesota, which has fought for its place in the US.
- The case highlights the complexities of voting rights and immigration in the US, and the consequences of alleged voting irregularities.
