Voter Fraud by Immigrant: Don't Jail Her - Deport Her

Our vote as American citizens is the most underrated right we have. Every single vote counts and every single vote matters.

Voter fraud was more openly discussed and investigated after President Trump made an unsubstantiated claim (but we all know he was right) that he would have won the popular vote in the 2016 elections if millions of people had not illegally voted.

It was reported yesterday, that the 2nd Court of Appeals upheld the 2017 conviction of Rosa Maria Ortega, a Texas resident for voting illegally multiple times according to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s statement on Tuesday.

Rosa Maria Ortega convicted of voter fraud

This case underscores the importance that Texans place on the institution of voting and the hallowed principle that every citizen’s vote must count. We will hold those accountable who falsely claim eligibility and purposely subvert the election process in Texas.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a written statement

Rosa Maria Ortega who was a resident alien since she was a child and voted multiple times over the span of over 10 years according to the original complaint filed.

Prosecutors showed the jury proof that Ortega illegally registered to vote in 2002 and voted in four elections in Dallas County. The prosecutors established that when Ortega moved from Dallas County to Tarrant County in 2014, and correctly indicated she was not a U.S. citizen on her voting registration form, the county informed her in writing that she was ineligible to vote. When she realized she could not vote she registered again falsely stating she was a US citizen.
Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a written statement

Ortega was offered two years of community supervision as a lesser punishment by the Attorney General’s office but she had declined it and chose a jury trial instead. She assumed, that given the climate after the 2016 elections and with former President Obama encouraging illegal voters to vote that she would be exonerated and or believed that they wouldn’t “come after her” like former President Obama said in an interview.

Records how Ortega was a registered Republican, and she cast a ballot for Paxton in 2014. She voted in four elections in Dallas County after she registered to vote in 2002. She voted five other times between 2004 and 2014.
Star Telegram

I thought I was doing something right for my country. When they gave me the sentence, they just broke my heart, and they didn’t just break my heart, but I already knew my family was going to be broken, my kids especially.
To me, it’s like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this. I just can’t.’
Rosa Maria Ortega statement to Star-Telegram from jail in 2017

The immigrant mother of four was sentenced to eight years and is eligible for parole after serving 12 months and pays a fine of $5,000.

Many people have weighed in on the hefty sentence and yesterday MSNBC reported letters and comments from various residents such as :

It is clear to me that the punishment does not fit the crime. I urge you to let common sense and compassion speak louder than political posturing.
Simon Han of Carrollton

The law is clear if you are not a US Citizen and participate in elections the punishment is DEPORTATION.

Her sentencing indeed did not fit the crime and i believe was excessive. In fact, she shouldn’t be in prison at all. Her punishment should have been automatic deportation – NO EXCEPTIONS. Give the woman reasonable time to get her affairs in order, sell her house, whatever else she needs to do, get her children ready for the move and deport her back to her country.

On that note, together, let’s all enjoy this #ProudParent moment below. Raising our children to realize that our right to vote is the most valuable thing you possess as a citizen of the USA is imperative.