Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia told voters Monday, Oct. 5, that federal immigration agents will not be at polling locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election.

Garcia held a news conference in Doral a day after a man wearing fake U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement gear was arrested at a Miami-Dade polling site. The arrest rattled voters at the site and fueled broader concerns in immigrant communities about federal agents showing up at polls.

"Will ICE be at the polls? Absolutely not," Garcia said at the Oct. 5 news conference, first reported by WSVN. "Law enforcement is never ever stationed inside our polling places."

Garcia said any law enforcement presence outside voting sites is limited to traffic, pedestrian safety and security. Officers help people get in and out of voting locations and manage increased traffic. They do not check immigration status or interfere with voting, she said.

The arrest

Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homeland Security Bureau detectives arrested Danilo Alves Silva, 46, of Port St. Lucie at about 2:10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus. The campus was serving as a polling location for the Brazilian presidential election.

Silva was wearing a blue ICE hat, an ICE raid jacket, sunglasses, a camouflage face mask and tactical-style boots, according to the arrest report. He was also carrying a handheld radio over which he reported his position. Investigators said several people at the site appeared fearful because they believed he was an ICE agent.

Silva told detectives the gear was a costume he bought on Amazon and that he wore it "to see people's reaction," the Miami Herald reported. According to the arrest report, Silva had voted at the site earlier while wearing a Brazilian sports jersey, then returned to his car and changed into the ICE attire before walking back through the polling area.

After being detained, Silva allegedly threatened a detective, saying "he will regret making this decision," according to the arrest report. Silva also allegedly tried to bribe a detective by offering money to be released, the Herald reported.

Silva faces charges of voter intimidation, conspiracy to commit bribery, threatening a public servant, unlawful use of police insignia and disorderly conduct. His total bond was set at $5,650, according to CBS Miami.

What Key Biscayne voters need to know

The incident comes less than a month before Election Day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters should confirm their assigned Election Day polling location with the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections.

Early voting across Miami-Dade runs Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 1, at 28 locations, with sites open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. One nearby early voting site is the Historic Garage at 3250 S. Miami Ave. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.

The Nov. 3 ballot includes the Key Biscayne Village Council race. Four candidates are running for three seats: Fernando Vazquez, Luis "Lucho" de la Cruz, Oscar Sardiñas and Silvia Tarafa. Claire London qualified for the race but withdrew her candidacy Sept. 25.

Brett Moss is running unopposed for mayor.

Garcia, Miami-Dade's first elected supervisor of elections, has faced separate scrutiny after the Miami-Dade Democratic Party called on her to recuse herself from the Nov. 3 canvassing board over her public endorsement of Amendment 3. Garcia has said her election duties will remain impartial and declined to step aside, the Miami Herald reported.

Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19, the same day Silva is due in court as prosecutors decide whether to formally file charges.