Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche supports the idea of deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to polling locations, arguing that noncitizens cannot legally vote in U.S. elections. During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Blanche questioned the opposition to the proposal, stating, “Why is there an objection to sending ICE to polling stations? Illegals can’t vote. It doesn’t make any sense.” The claim that noncitizens vote in U.S. elections lacks substantial evidence. Reviews of voting records have identified only a small number of instances where undocumented individuals attempted to cast ballots, contradicting Republican assertions of widespread fraud. A 2016 Brennan Center study of the general election found approximately 30 suspected cases of noncitizen voting out of 23.5 million ballots, representing less than 0.0001 percent of the total. Democrats have criticized the proposal as an intimidation tactic, arguing that the presence of armed agents near polling places could suppress voter turnout. Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) described the plan as part of a broader strategy to “adjust democratic elections” if opponents cannot maintain power through traditional means. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided inconsistent statements about the possibility of ICE officers being stationed at polling sites. In a recent call with state election officials, a DHS representative labeled the idea “misinformation,” while other officials have acknowledged no current plans to implement the measure. Despite the conflicting guidance, several Trump-aligned officials have endorsed the proposal.#department_of_homeland_security #tom_homan #deputy_attorney_general_todd_blanche #conservative_political_action_conference #maryland_governor_wes_moore
Greg Bovino slams Trump officials in Border Patrol exit Newly retired Trump administration immigration official Greg Bovino criticized leadership during his exit from the Border Patrol, accusing border czar Tom Homan and others of failing to act decisively. Bovino, who previously served as commander-at-large of the Border Patrol, led high-profile immigration raids in Los Angeles and Minneapolis. His tenure came under scrutiny after the deaths of two Minnesotans under his command, which led to his demotion. In a statement to NewsNation, Bovino referenced the killing of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman, whose death was linked to a man charged with entering the U.S. illegally. He condemned the response from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, calling them “weak-kneed” and accusing them of inaction. “The Gorman family is burying their daughter this week, and liberal [CBP] commissioner Rodney Scott and capitulator Tommy Homan say and do nothing, which is how we got in this mess in the first place,” Bovino said. Bovino’s aggressive enforcement tactics, including the use of pepper spray against protesters, drew criticism. In two incidents, “less lethal” weapons left a protester blinded in one eye. The Department of Homeland Security and CBP did not respond to requests for comment. In an interview with The New York Times, Bovino expressed regret over not apprehending more migrants, stating, “I wish I’d caught even more illegal aliens.” He claimed that his team had pushed legal limits to maximize arrests. “We went as hard as we could, but there’s always a creative and innovative solution to catching even more,” he said. Bovino also made disparaging remarks about immigrants, calling them “filth” and “trash” during a speech in New Orleans.#greg_bovino #loyola_university #tom_homan #rodney_scott #customs_and_border_protection
