Green Card Holders Charged for Voting: What It Means for You
You have a green card, you've lived in the US for years, and you thought you understood the rules. But in September 2026, a federal grand jury indicted ten lawful permanent residents — people with green cards, just like you — on voter fraud charges in Minnesota. The consequences they now face include federal criminal prosecution and deportation.
You have a green card. You pay taxes. You've built a life here. But voting in a US election — even once — can end all of that. In September 2026, Attorney General Todd Blanche, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and US Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced federal indictments against ten lawful permanent residents (green card holders) in Minnesota for illegally voting in federal elections. All ten had their initial court appearances by September 30, 2026.
What the charges are — and what they carry
The ten defendants came from Liberia, Lithuania, Ghana, Germany, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. Most are in their 40s to 70s. They are charged under two federal laws. The first is making a false claim of US citizenship in order to vote — a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f) that carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The second is voting as a non-citizen — a class A misdemeanor under 18 U.S.C. § 611 that carries up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Several defendants face both charges. One defendant allegedly voted as recently as the August 2026 primary election in Minnesota. The cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and are being prosecuted by First Assistant US Attorney Joseph S. Teirab.
Immigration Deadlines 2026 — Free
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DHS Secretary Mullin was direct in his statement: non-citizens who vote will be found, arrested, and face both criminal charges and deportation. For green card holders, a felony conviction — or even a misdemeanor with certain facts — can trigger removal proceedings (the formal process to deport someone). A conviction for falsely claiming US citizenship is particularly serious: immigration law treats it as a permanent bar to many forms of immigration relief, including naturalization. All ten defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
What to do
- Do not vote in any US election unless you are a US citizen. Green card holders, visa holders, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and asylum applicants are all prohibited from voting in federal elections. This applies even if a local election official hands you a ballot.
- If you registered to vote by mistake or were told you were eligible when you were not, talk to an immigration attorney before doing anything else. Do not try to fix it on your own — how you handle it matters legally.
- If you are already in removal proceedings or have received any notice from ICE or the Department of Justice related to voting, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. Do not miss any court hearing date.
- Check your voter registration status. If you were registered in error, an attorney can advise you on whether and how to withdraw that registration without making your situation worse.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
As an immigration attorney, I tell every green card holder the same thing: voting is not a gray area. Even if a poll worker says you can vote, even if you were handed a ballot by mistake — casting that ballot can cost you your permanent residency and bar you from ever becoming a citizen. If you have already voted and are worried, do not wait for a knock on the door. Come in for a consultation now, before any application or renewal triggers a background check that surfaces the record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder vote in any US election?
No. Only US citizens may vote in federal elections. Green card holders (lawful permanent residents), visa holders, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and asylum applicants are all prohibited. Some local jurisdictions have experimented with non-citizen voting in local races, but federal elections are strictly off-limits regardless of how long you have lived in the US.
What happens to a green card if you are convicted of voter fraud?
A conviction can trigger removal proceedings — the formal process to deport you. A felony conviction for falsely claiming US citizenship is especially damaging: it can permanently bar you from naturalization and from many forms of immigration relief. Even a misdemeanor conviction for voting as a non-citizen can be used against you in immigration court.
What if I registered to vote by mistake — for example, at the DMV?
This happens more often than people realize. Some state motor-voter systems automatically offer registration, and non-citizens have been enrolled in error. If you registered but never voted, your risk is lower — but you should still consult an immigration attorney before filing any immigration application, because USCIS and federal prosecutors can access voter registration records.
Does voting affect my naturalization application?
Yes, seriously. Form N-400 (the naturalization application) asks whether you have ever voted in a US election or claimed to be a US citizen. Answering dishonestly is itself a federal crime. If you voted in the past, an immigration attorney can help you understand your options before you file — because submitting that form without a legal strategy can trigger both denial and a criminal referral.