Green Card Holder Arrested for Voting Illegally for 22 Years
Antonio Mitchell, a 54-year-old Jamaican green card holder living in New Jersey, was arrested by ICE HSI on November 3, 2026, for allegedly voting in US federal elections for 22 years and then lying about it on his naturalization application. The arrest shows that immigration authorities are cross-checking voting records against citizenship applications — and that a decades-old mistake can surface at the worst possible moment.
What if you voted in a US election as a green card holder — even once — and then applied for citizenship? That question is now at the center of a federal arrest that immigration lawyers say should put every lawful permanent resident on notice.
HSI New Jersey (Homeland Security Investigations) arrested Antonio Mitchell, 54, a Jamaican national and lawful permanent resident, on November 3, 2026. Investigators allege Mitchell registered to vote in New Jersey by falsely claiming US citizenship, then cast ballots in federal primary and general elections from 2000 to 2022 — a span of more than two decades. ICE says he voted in the 2022 federal election as recently as four years ago.
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Naturalization: from N-400 to the Oath
The case took a second turn when Mitchell applied for naturalization (the formal process of becoming a US citizen) in January 2025. On that application, he allegedly denied ever having voted — a statement investigators say was false. Lying on a naturalization application, known as Form N-400, is a federal crime on its own, separate from the voting allegations. Together, the charges put Mitchell at risk of losing his green card and facing removal proceedings — deportation from the United States.
Why this matters for green card holders
Voting in a US federal election as a non-citizen is a federal crime. It can also make a green card holder deportable and permanently bar them from ever obtaining US citizenship. Many immigrants do not realize that registering to vote — even if they never actually cast a ballot — can trigger the same consequences. Some states automatically offer voter registration during driver's license renewals, and checking the wrong box by mistake has led to serious immigration consequences for others in the past. If you are not a US citizen, you must not register or vote in any federal, state, or local election.
What to do
- If you are a green card holder and have ever registered to vote or cast a ballot, speak with an immigration attorney before filing any application — including Form N-400 (the naturalization application) or Form I-485 (the application for a green card from inside the US).
- Do not answer "no" to questions about voting history on any immigration form if you have ever registered or voted. Lying on a federal immigration form is a separate crime and can permanently destroy your case.
- If you receive a notice from ICE or are approached by HSI agents, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions.
- Check your voter registration status in your state. If you were registered in error, an immigration attorney can advise you on whether and how to correct the record before it affects your immigration case.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “The Path to U.S. Citizenship”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Voting as a non-citizen is one of the most serious immigration violations a green card holder can commit — it triggers deportability under INA Section 237 and a permanent bar to naturalization. What makes cases like this especially dangerous is the compounding effect: the original voting allegation is bad enough, but a false answer on Form N-400 adds a separate federal charge of misrepresentation. If you have any voting history as a non-citizen, consult an immigration attorney before filing anything with USCIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder be deported for voting in a US election?
Yes. Voting in a US federal, state, or local election as a non-citizen is a federal crime and makes a lawful permanent resident deportable. It can also permanently bar them from ever becoming a US citizen.
What happens if I accidentally registered to vote as a green card holder?
Even registering — without actually voting — can create immigration problems. If this happened to you, speak with an immigration attorney before filing any application. Do not simply ignore it or deny it on a form.
What is Form N-400 and why does voting history matter on it?
Form N-400 is the application for US citizenship (naturalization). It asks directly whether you have ever registered to vote or voted in a US election. Answering falsely is a federal crime and will likely result in denial and possible criminal charges, as alleged in this case.
What are my rights if ICE or HSI agents contact me?
You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration history or voting record without a lawyer present.