Green Card Holder Arrested for Voting: What LPRs Must Know
Joyce Pitts, a Netherlands citizen and US green card holder, was arrested on October 19, 2026, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, after allegedly voting in the 2024 US election. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) opened the case in August 2026. The US Attorney's office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has accepted the case for prosecution — and Pitts now faces potential removal proceedings that could end her permanent resident status.
What happened — and why it matters for every green card holder
What if you voted in a US election thinking it was allowed — or made a mistake on a registration form? Joyce Pitts, a citizen of the Netherlands who received her green card (lawful permanent resident status) in 2011, now faces federal prosecution after HSI Allentown investigated her for allegedly casting a ballot in the 2024 election. She was processed at the Wilkes-Barre federal courthouse by US Marshals. The case was accepted by the US Attorney's office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Voting in a US federal election as a non-citizen is a federal crime. It does not matter how long you have held a green card or how many years you have lived in the United States. Only US citizens have the legal right to vote in federal elections. A conviction can lead to removal proceedings — meaning you could lose your green card and be deported — and it can permanently bar you from ever becoming a US citizen.
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ICE Assistant Director for Public Affairs Micah Bock stated that "election security is national security" and that non-citizen voting "dilutes" the votes of American citizens. HSI's investigation into Pitts began in August 2026, roughly two years after the alleged 2024 vote. This timeline shows that federal agencies actively review past election records and can open cases well after the fact.
What to do
- Do not register to vote or vote in any US election unless you are a naturalized US citizen. Green card holders, visa holders, and people with work permits (EAD) are not allowed to vote in federal elections.
- If you received a voter registration form automatically — for example, at a DMV — and you filled it out by mistake, talk to an immigration lawyer immediately. Lawyers recommend disclosing this proactively rather than waiting for an investigation.
- If you are already in removal proceedings or facing a criminal charge related to voting, do not speak to investigators without an attorney present. You have the right to remain silent and the right to legal representation.
- If you are a green card holder thinking about the naturalization process (applying to become a US citizen), review your full history with an immigration lawyer before filing Form N-400 (the application for US citizenship). A prior voting violation can disqualify you.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Consular Processing”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
A green card holder charged with unlawful voting faces two separate legal tracks: a federal criminal case and immigration removal proceedings, and both can move at the same time. Under immigration law, a conviction for unlawful voting is a deportable offense and also makes a person permanently inadmissible, which means it can end any future path to a green card or citizenship. If you received a voter registration card in error and did not actually vote, document everything now — that distinction matters enormously in your defense. Consult an immigration attorney who also has criminal defense experience before making any statements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder vote in any US election?
No. Only US citizens can vote in federal elections. Green card holders, visa holders, and people with work permits are not allowed to vote. Voting as a non-citizen is a federal crime and can lead to deportation and a permanent bar from US citizenship.
What happens to a green card if you are convicted of unlawful voting?
A conviction can make you deportable and permanently inadmissible under US immigration law. That means ICE can place you in removal proceedings, and you may lose your green card. It also permanently bars you from naturalizing as a US citizen.
What if I registered to vote by mistake — for example, at the DMV?
Accidentally registering is different from actually voting, but it can still create problems. Lawyers recommend speaking with an immigration attorney as soon as possible to document what happened and, if needed, to withdraw the registration before any investigation begins.
How long after an election can the government investigate non-citizen voting?
There is no short window. In this case, HSI opened its investigation in August 2026 for an alleged vote cast in the 2024 election — roughly two years later. Federal agencies actively review election records and can open cases well after the fact.