EXPLAINER
A viral declare suggests immigration officers have been informed to not put on uniforms to keep away from scaring undocumented migrants. Not true.
By
Printed On 6 Nov 2024
A viral and deceptive Instagram video claimed US Immigration and Customs Enforcement leaders barred staff from carrying uniforms to the polls to keep away from alarming noncitizens who have been casting ballots, through the November 5 vote.
“Simply acquired phrase that in Arizona and in Pennsylvania … they’ve phrase from their higher-ups, after they go to vote tomorrow, they don’t seem to be allowed to put on their uniform or their badges,” conservative commentator Ben Bergquam stated in a November 5 Instagram video.
“And so they imagine it’s as a result of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden don’t wish to intimidate unlawful aliens voting,” he added.
Bergquam repeated these claims in an interview that morning with Steve Bannon, a one-time adviser to former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee.
Ice brokers are informed to not put on their uniforms to vote at present. Are you able to imagine this BS?
Really sure, sure I can. pic.twitter.com/ODEaqd4DPB
— 🇺🇸Land Of ILLUSION🇺🇸 (@Landofillusion1) November 5, 2024
The Instagram video was flagged as a part of Meta’s efforts to fight false information and misinformation on its Information Feed. (Learn extra about our partnership with Meta, which owns Fb, Threads and Instagram.)
White Home spokesperson Andrew Bates informed PolitiFact the declare was false.
First, non-citizens will not be eligible to vote in federal elections. Noncitizens who vote face federal and state penalties together with imprisonment and, if they’re illegally within the nation, deportation.
Second, federal regulation prohibits armed and civil regulation enforcement exercise at polling locations, besides when it’s “essential to repel armed enemies of the USA”. This provision prevents immigration enforcement at polling places.
Area administrators and brokers in cost reminded staff to not put on uniforms and different markings whereas they have been voting, citing the US code.
“Like all federal regulation enforcement officers, the company’s officers and brokers are prohibited by federal statute from taking enforcement actions at polling locations,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Jeff Carter informed PolitiFact.
This isn’t the primary time federal businesses have reminded staff about conduct throughout elections. In 2020, throughout Trump’s presidency, the Division of Protection reminded navy service members concerning the uniform coverage.
“All members of the armed forces, together with active-duty members, members of the reserve elements not on lively obligation, and retired members are prohibited from carrying navy uniforms at political marketing campaign or election occasions,” a 2020 division reminder stated.
Federal regulation prohibits navy service members from interfering in election processes.
Some states, together with New York and Maryland, additionally bar civilians from carrying military-style garments at polling locations.
The assertion that ICE officers have been informed to not put on uniforms on the polls to not intimidate non-citizens voting comprises a component of fact however ignores essential details that might give a special impression. It displays a longstanding regulation about civil regulation enforcement exercise at polling locations.
We fee the declare Principally False.
