Los Angeles:The Trump administration has issued a warning to California election officials, cautioning them about potential criminal prosecution for counting ballots allegedly cast by noncitizens. This development adds tension in the lead-up to the November 3 election.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter sent a letter to officials in Los Angeles County. The letter stated that knowingly tabulating ballots from individuals identified by federal agencies as noncitizens could result in officials becoming complicit in a federal crime.

The warning is linked to a Justice Department lawsuit filed on Thursday. This lawsuit aims to prevent the counting of mail ballots from those identified as "likely" noncitizens until their immigration status can be confirmed. The administration referenced a list containing 20,000 names, but California Secretary of State Shirley Weber responded that no supporting evidence had been provided.

Legal experts have weighed in on the situation. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen noted that the letter increases pressure on election officials by threatening potential criminal prosecution. Meanwhile, Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School and former Justice Department official, remarked that courts have so far been unreceptive to the Justice Department's arguments, and the letter does not appear to change that trajectory.