16 Green Card Holders Charged for Voting in US Elections
The Justice Department charged 16 lawful permanent residents (green card holders) with voting illegally in US federal elections, mostly in the 2024 general election. The cases span Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota and involve people from 13 different countries. For any green card holder, these charges are a warning: voting as a non-citizen can end your path to citizenship — and trigger deportation.
In October 2026, the Justice Department announced charges against 16 lawful permanent residents — green card holders — for voting illegally in US federal elections. The cases involve voting by non-citizens, falsely claiming US citizenship to register or vote, and lying on naturalization applications (Form N-400, the application to become a US citizen). All 16 defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Who was charged and what they allegedly did
The charges came from four states. In Florida, Italian national Andrea Catanese, 60, faces the most serious charges: voting in the 2024 general election, then lying about it on his N-400 application, and repeating that lie to an immigration officer. A second Florida defendant, Bahamian national Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, is charged with one count of voting as a non-citizen. In Louisiana, three green card holders — from Cuba, Mexico, and Nicaragua — were indicted for casting ballots in the 2024 election. In Wisconsin, North Macedonian national Sara Luma, 30, allegedly registered to vote and voted on the same day, November 5, 2024, signing a form that falsely stated she was a US citizen. She later admitted this to federal agents. The largest group — ten people — was charged in Minnesota. They hold green cards from countries including Liberia, Lithuania, Ghana, Germany, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. Most are accused of both voting illegally and falsely claiming US citizenship when registering.
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What these charges mean for green card holders
Voting in a US federal election as a non-citizen is a federal crime. A conviction can lead to deportation (removal from the US), permanent bars to naturalization, and cancellation of your green card. One defendant, Catanese, faces an additional charge of attempting to obtain naturalization unlawfully — a separate felony — because he lied about his voting history on the N-400. Lying to an immigration officer is itself a federal crime that can destroy any future immigration benefit.
What to do
- If you hold a green card, do not register to vote and do not vote in any federal, state, or local election — you are not eligible until you become a US citizen.
- If you already registered or voted by mistake, consult an immigration attorney before filing any application, especially Form N-400 (naturalization). Disclosing the error with legal guidance is very different from being caught lying about it.
- If you are in removal proceedings (deportation court) or have a pending green card application, a criminal charge for illegal voting can seriously damage your case — get legal help immediately.
- Check your voter registration status in your state. If you were registered in error, an attorney can advise you on how to withdraw that registration without making your situation worse.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Immigration Court Rulings”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
These cases show that USCIS and DOJ are actively cross-checking voter rolls against immigration records. If you voted or registered as a green card holder — even by accident — do not file Form N-400 without first speaking to an immigration attorney. Lying about it on the application, as one defendant allegedly did, turns a serious mistake into a federal felony that guarantees denial and likely deportation. An attorney can help you assess whether voluntary disclosure or withdrawal of the registration is the safer path in your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder vote in any US election?
No. Only US citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections. Voting as a green card holder — even in a local election — is a federal crime that can lead to deportation and a permanent bar from becoming a citizen.
What happens to your green card if you are convicted of illegal voting?
A conviction for voting as a non-citizen can result in deportation and make you permanently ineligible for US citizenship. It can also lead to cancellation of your green card.
What if I registered to vote by mistake — for example, at the DMV?
This happens. Some states automatically offer voter registration when you get a driver's license, and not everyone realizes they opted in. Do not vote, and consult an immigration attorney about how to withdraw your registration. Acting quickly and honestly — with legal guidance — is much better than being charged later.
Do I have to disclose past voting on my naturalization application (N-400)?
Yes. Form N-400 asks about your voting history. Lying on that form is a separate federal crime, as one defendant in these cases allegedly discovered. If you have voted as a non-citizen, talk to an immigration lawyer before you file N-400.