A man dressed in an outfit resembling an ICE agent's uniform was arrested on Sunday at the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College, while Brazilian citizens were voting in the first round of their presidential elections, according to reported NBC.
Danilo Silva, 46 years old, was arrested, handcuffed, and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office acted in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to the report, Silva was moving among the voters with an attitude that authorities described as aggressive. He was wearing a blue jacket resembling those used in ICE operations, a hat with the agency's initials, sunglasses, a mask, and boots, and he was moving from one polling place to another.
According to the authorities, those present felt fear because "Silva identified himself as an ICE agent and interfered with their electoral process."
When the detectives asked him if he was a federal agent, he replied no. He explained that the outfit was a costume bought on Amazon and that he did not believe he was breaking any laws.
According to the report, “he had gone to vote as a Brazilian citizen and, upon finishing, changed his national team jersey for the ICE uniform to see the people's reaction.”
During his detention, Silva threatened the detectives that they "would regret it" and that he would go after them. He also attempted to offer money to the officers: "I'll pay you if you let me go."
According to the arrest report, Silva faces three charges related to voter intimidation, an attempted bribery, and the illegal use of a police badge.
The tension over ICE surrounding polling centers
The incident occurred in a context of heightened sensitivity in South Florida regarding the possibility that the presence of immigration agents near polling places could instill fear among certain immigrant communities.
The DHS has stated that ICE "is not planning operations targeting polling places," although concerns have arisen regarding a potential presence of immigration agents.
In the context of the U.S. elections, Joe Scott, the election supervisor for Broward County, has been categorical about the potential presence of ICE at polling places: “There is no reason for ICE to be there,” since those exercising their right to vote in these elections are U.S. citizens.
Silva's case is different: the incident occurred while Brazilian citizens were participating in Miami in the presidential elections of their country.
However, the alleged use of ICE attire at a polling center once again brought attention to the fear that the apparent presence of immigration agents around voting locations can provoke.
Voter intimidation is prohibited by U.S. legislation. Article 18 U.S.C. § 594 establishes penalties for anyone who intimidates, threatens, or coerces a person with the intent to interfere in certain federal electoral processes.
The specific application of electoral laws to Silva's case will depend on the charges brought by the authorities and the judicial process.
Other cases of impersonation of ICE agents in South Florida
This is not the first recent case of a person accused of impersonating an ICE agent in the region.
In September, a man was arrested in Miami Gardens for allegedly impersonating a high-ranking ICE official to extort an employee of a food stand. According to authorities, he used a badge, a firearm, and emergency lights.
The Department of Justice charged him with impersonating a federal officer, a crime that can carry up to three years in prison.
The event on Sunday brought together a portion of the 40,104 Brazilian voters registered in Miami at the MDC.
Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.06% of the votes against 45.13% for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with a runoff scheduled for October 25.
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