16 Non-Citizens Charged With Illegal Voting: Green Card at Risk
The Justice Department charged 16 non-citizens — most of them green card holders — with illegal voting in federal elections across North Carolina, New York, and Idaho. The charges, announced in October 2026, include voting by a non-citizen and falsely claiming US citizenship to register. A conviction on either charge can lead to deportation and a permanent bar from naturalization.
What if you voted in a US election as a green card holder — not knowing it was a federal crime? The answer matters right now: the Justice Department announced in October 2026 that it charged 16 non-citizens across North Carolina, New York, and Idaho with illegal voting and related offenses, and most of them are lawful permanent residents (green card holders), not undocumented immigrants.
The cases span multiple elections. Some defendants allegedly voted just once; others voted repeatedly over more than a decade. In North Carolina, 10 people face charges. Among them: a German national who allegedly voted in seven general elections between 2004 and 2024, and a former Yugoslav national who allegedly voted in nine elections going back to 2008. In New York, five people — all green card holders from the UK, Bosnia, and Canada — were arrested for voting in federal elections. In Idaho, a Canadian green card holder faces charges for voting in the 2022 general election. One defendant, Eduardd Omar Majano Sosa, 22, from El Salvador, is undocumented. He is charged with falsely claiming US citizenship to register and vote in the 2024 general election.
Immigration Deadlines 2026 — Free
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What these charges actually mean
Voting in a US federal election as a non-citizen is a federal crime. The two main charges here are: voting by an alien (casting a ballot in a federal election without being a US citizen) and falsely claiming US citizenship (telling election officials you are a citizen when you are not). Both are serious. A conviction on either charge can trigger removal proceedings — meaning immigration court could order your deportation, even if you have a green card. It can also permanently bar you from ever becoming a US citizen through naturalization. The DOJ stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
What to do
- If you are a green card holder and you voted in any US election — federal, state, or local — talk to an immigration lawyer before doing anything else. Do not wait for charges to be filed against you.
- Do not apply for naturalization (US citizenship) if you have voted as a non-citizen. Your application will ask about this directly, and a false answer is a separate federal crime.
- If you are already in removal proceedings or received any notice from immigration court, contact an immigration attorney immediately. You have the right to legal representation in immigration court.
- Check your voter registration status. If you were registered to vote but are not a US citizen, an immigration lawyer can advise you on how to address this before it becomes a criminal matter.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
As a green card holder, voting in any US federal election — even once, even by mistake — is a deportable offense under immigration law and can permanently bar you from naturalization. If you voted and are now worried, do not file Form N-400 (the naturalization application) on your own: the application asks about prior voting, and a false answer creates an additional criminal exposure. An attorney can help you assess whether voluntary disclosure or other options apply to your specific situation before charges are filed. Consult an immigration lawyer as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder be deported for voting in a US election?
Yes. Voting in a US federal election as a non-citizen is a federal crime and a deportable offense. Even one vote can trigger removal proceedings in immigration court, regardless of how long you have held your green card.
What happens to my green card if I am convicted of illegal voting?
A conviction can result in deportation and a permanent bar from obtaining US citizenship through naturalization. Immigration judges have broad authority to order removal in these cases.
I voted years ago without knowing it was illegal. Am I still at risk?
Potentially yes. Several defendants in these cases are charged for votes cast as far back as 2004. Federal law does not have a short statute of limitations for immigration consequences. Talk to an immigration lawyer to understand your specific risk.
Does this affect my naturalization application?
Yes. Form N-400, the naturalization application, asks whether you have ever voted in a US election. If you have voted as a non-citizen and answer dishonestly, that is a separate federal crime. An immigration attorney can advise you on how to proceed safely.