A man dressed in attire 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 a report by 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 wandering among the voters with an attitude that authorities described as aggressive. He was wearing a blue jacket resembling that used in ICE operations, a cap from the same agency, sunglasses, a mask, and boots, moving from one polling place to another.
According to the authorities, those present felt afraid because "Silva presented himself as an ICE agent and interfered with their electoral process."
When the detectives asked him if he was a federal agent, he replied that he was not.
He explained that the outfit was a costume purchased on Amazon and that he did not believe he was violating any law.
According to the report, “he had gone to vote as a Brazilian citizen and, upon finishing, changed his team's jersey for the ICE uniform to see the people's reaction.”
During his detention, Silva threatened the detectives, saying they would "regret it" and that he would come after them.
He also tried to offer money to the agents: “I will pay you if you let me go”, he said.
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 surrounding ICE at the polling places
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 about a potential presence of immigration agents have raised worries.
In the context of the U.S. elections, Joe Scott, the election supervisor of Broward County, has been clear about the potential presence of ICE at polling places: “There is no reason for ICE to be there,” given that 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 the presidential elections of their country in Miami.
However, her alleged use of ICE clothing at a polling center once again highlighted the fear that the apparent presence of immigration agents can provoke around voting locations.
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 for the purpose of interfering with 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 posing as a senior ICE official to extort an employee at 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 a sentence of up to three years in prison.
The event on Sunday brought together part of the 40,104 Brazilian voters registered in Miami at the MDC.
Flávio Bolsonaro received 47.06% of the votes compared to President Lula's 45.13%, with a runoff scheduled for October 25.
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