LA Times claims California ICE raids aim to 'discourage' midterm voter turnout—illegal aliens can't vote legally

The Los Angeles Times published a report on Friday promoting the claims from immigration advocates that increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids are intended to discourage voter turnout ahead of the midterm elections. The allegations have drawn criticism from those who argue that such fears admit that there is a problem with illegal immigrants voting in American elections.

The report cited immigration advocates in Los Angeles who accused federal immigration enforcement operations of attempting to intimidate voters. ICE launched an unannounced 45-day statewide surge in California known as “Operation Safe California” in early October.

“The timing of these actions, just weeks before the midterm elections, is no accident,” claimed Jeannette Zanipatin, policy director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). “These tactics seek to silence immigrant communities, suppress civic participation and divide our neighborhoods.”

Angelica Salas, executive director at CHIRLA, also blamed the Trump administration for attempting to discourage voting. She said her organization and other groups planned to send legal observers to polling locations.

“As threats of intimidation from the Trump administration continue just 18 days before the election date, do not let anyone convince you that your voice does not matter,” Salas said. “We’re protecting our people. We’re also protecting our people’s ability to participate in the elections. California organizes itself. That is why we are a progressive, pro-immigrant state.”

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Chandler Rebel pushed back against the allegations, arguing that immigration enforcement operations target individuals who are in the country illegally and that citizens “who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.”

“Our message to aliens who vote in American elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face the consequences — including criminal charges and deportation,” Rebel said.

Rebel declined to discuss specific enforcement operations in California. However, DHS has previously said ICE would not deploy agents to polling places.

The report prompted criticism on social media, where users argued that claims of voter intimidation appear to suggest illegal immigrants are participating in elections.

“So yall admitting that illegals are voting?” one user commented.

The Department of Justice’s rapid response account also shared the Los Angeles Times report on X, writing, “Tell us you want illegal aliens to vote, breaking federal law, without telling us.”

California has faced sustained criticism from Republicans over its election policies. Not only does the state lack voter identification laws, but it also restricts local governments from imposing their own voter identification requirements for elections. Additionally, noncitizens are permitted to vote in certain local elections, such as school boards, under certain eligibility requirements.