48 Green Card Holders Charged With Illegal Voting
The Justice Department charged 48 noncitizens — nearly all of them green card holders — with illegal voting and false citizenship claims across five states in October 2026. Many were also accused of lying on their naturalization applications, a felony that can permanently end any path to U.S. citizenship. The cases show federal prosecutors are now cross-checking voter rolls against immigration records going back more than two decades.
The Justice Department charged 48 noncitizens — most of them lawful permanent residents (green card holders) — with illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, and related election crimes in October 2026. The cases span five states: Pennsylvania, California, Florida, New York, and Nevada. Most defendants are accused of voting in federal elections while knowing they were not U.S. citizens. Many also lied on their naturalization applications — Form N-400, the application to become a U.S. citizen — by falsely claiming they had never voted or never claimed to be a citizen.
What the charges actually mean
Voting in a U.S. federal election as a noncitizen is a federal crime. Depending on the district and the specific conduct, defendants face either a misdemeanor charge — up to one year in federal prison — or felony charges that carry heavier penalties. The felony cases involve an extra layer: defendants allegedly lied under oath during their naturalization interviews or on their N-400 forms, saying they had never claimed U.S. citizenship when they had already registered to vote by checking a box that said they were citizens. That false statement is itself a separate federal crime and can permanently bar someone from ever becoming a citizen.
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The defendants come from more than 20 countries, including Mexico, Cuba, the Philippines, India, Guatemala, Canada, Russia, and others. Several registered to vote years or even decades ago — some as far back as 2002 — and only faced charges now. At least one person, Mexican national Camino Giles Jiménez, allegedly voted as recently as the June 2026 primary election. Several defendants were in the middle of the naturalization process when they were charged, meaning their citizenship applications are now at serious risk.
Why this matters for your green card and naturalization
A conviction for voting illegally or making a false statement in a naturalization application can result in deportation — even for long-term green card holders — and a permanent bar from U.S. citizenship. Registering to vote by falsely claiming citizenship is also a federal crime separate from the act of voting itself. If you are a green card holder and you have ever registered to vote or voted in a U.S. election, talk to an immigration lawyer before you file Form N-400. The naturalization interview includes direct questions about voting history, and a wrong answer — even an accidental one — can trigger criminal charges.
What to do
- If you are a green card holder, do not register to vote or vote in any U.S. federal, state, or local election — only U.S. citizens may do so legally.
- If you have already registered to vote or voted by mistake, consult an immigration lawyer before filing Form N-400 (the naturalization application). Disclosing the issue proactively with legal guidance is very different from being caught lying about it.
- If you are currently in the naturalization process and received any government notice related to voting, do not attend your interview without speaking to an attorney first.
- Check your voter registration status in your state's system. If you find you are registered and should not be, an immigration lawyer can advise you on how to handle this before it becomes a criminal matter.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Immigration Court Rulings”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
As an immigration attorney, the most urgent warning here is this: lying on Form N-400 about prior voter registration is a federal felony that can result in both denial of citizenship and removal proceedings — even after decades of lawful permanent residence. If a client has any voting history as a noncitizen, I advise them to disclose it to counsel before the naturalization interview, not after. There may be defenses available — such as lack of willful intent — but those arguments must be built before you sit across from a USCIS officer. Please consult a licensed immigration attorney before you file or attend any naturalization interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder be deported for voting illegally?
Yes. Voting in a U.S. federal election as a noncitizen is a deportable offense under immigration law. A conviction — or even just the act itself — can trigger removal proceedings, regardless of how long you have held a green card.
What happens to my naturalization application if I voted while on a green card?
USCIS can deny your N-400 application and refer your case for criminal prosecution. If you lied about your voting history on the application or during the interview, that false statement is itself a separate federal crime. Talk to an immigration lawyer before you file.
I registered to vote years ago by mistake. Do I need to worry now?
Possibly. Several defendants in these cases registered as far back as 2002 and were charged in 2026. Federal prosecutors are now matching voter rolls to immigration records. An immigration attorney can help you understand your specific risk and whether any steps can reduce it.
Is registering to vote as a noncitizen a crime even if I never actually voted?
Yes. Falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on a voter registration form is a federal crime on its own, separate from the act of voting. Several defendants in these cases face charges for registration alone, in addition to charges for voting.