Edward Marchesi U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) announced the arrest of an Italian citizen in North Haledon, New Jersey. The man, identified as Andrea Morzetta, 72, was arrested on charges of illegal voting and providing false information on his U.S. naturalization application . The arrest coincides with the 2026 midterm election campaigns, raising questions about the integrity of the democratic process.
Arrest details and legal proceedings
On October 29, Morzetta appeared before Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in federal court in Newark for the initial hearing in the case. Another defendant, Antonio Mitchell, a 54-year-old Jamaican citizen living in Paterson, was identified alongside him, also charged with election fraud.
Both allegedly registered to vote by falsely declaring that they were U.S. citizens, a requirement for voting in federal elections.
The elections in which Morzetta was involved
According to ICE's investigation, Morzetta participated in the 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2024 federal elections, going to the polls in person and casting his ballot as if he were a US citizen.
After these four electoral events, the man submitted, in 2025, the application for naturalization through the N-400 form , declaring that he had never voted or registered.
Formal charges and expected sanctions
The formal charges include the crime of illegal voting , punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100.000. Furthermore, attempting to obtain US citizenship by making false declarations is considered a more serious crime, with a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250.000. In Morzetta's case, false information regarding his "voter history" during the naturalization process could result in additional penalties, including the revocation of his legal residency.
Legal context and ICE statements
The agency emphasized that illegal voting is not a simple bureaucratic error, but a deliberate act of electoral fraud that undermines trust in democratic processes. In a statement published on X, ICE reiterated the administration's commitment to protecting the integrity of elections, recalling that "American elections are for American citizens." Lack of citizenship makes the taxpayer's actions morally and criminally prosecutable.
Other cases of voter fraud reported
In the same statement, ICE also mentioned the arrest of a Finnish citizen in Philadelphia, accused of voting in the 2024 general election. These cases, though isolated, demonstrate a trend by authorities to intensify checks on the voter registrations of non-citizens, especially in view of the upcoming federal elections.
The case against Morzetta is still ongoing; upcoming hearings will determine whether the charges will be upheld and the final sentence. Meanwhile, the case underscores the importance of upholding citizenship and voting rights, which are fundamental to the credibility of US democratic institutions.