LPR Charged With Voter Fraud Faces Deportation in NYC
A lawful permanent resident from the Dominican Republic was charged with making false statements related to voter registration and visa fraud on October 23, 2026, in New York. ICE's Homeland Security Investigations arrested Randy Pierre-Louis and lodged an immigration detainer after his federal arraignment. The case shows that a green card does not protect you from removal if you are convicted of certain crimes or fraud.
Randy Pierre-Louis, a Dominican Republic citizen who has held a U.S. green card since entering the country in July 1990, was charged October 23, 2026, with making false statements related to voter registration and with visa fraud. HSI New York — the investigative arm of ICE — led the arrest. Pierre-Louis was brought before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York for arraignment. ICE then lodged an immigration detainer, meaning immigration authorities can take custody of him if he is released from criminal custody.
Pierre-Louis has a prior robbery conviction from 1994 and faced a weapon possession charge in 2012. Those prior records matter in immigration court. A robbery conviction is generally considered a crime involving moral turpitude, which can make a green card holder deportable — even decades after the conviction. Adding a federal fraud charge on top of that history significantly raises the risk of removal proceedings.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs Micah Bock said, "Election security is national security," and emphasized that only U.S. citizens should vote in federal elections. Lawful permanent residents — green card holders — are not U.S. citizens and are not permitted to vote in federal elections. Registering to vote or voting as a non-citizen can result in federal criminal charges, loss of the green card, and a permanent bar to future citizenship.
What This Means for Green Card Holders
This case is a reminder that a green card is not a guarantee of permanent safety from deportation. Federal fraud charges, prior criminal convictions, and immigration detainers can all trigger removal proceedings — even for someone who has lived in the United States for decades. If ICE lodges a detainer against you, you have the right to an immigration court hearing before a judge orders removal.
What to do
- If you hold a green card, do not register to vote or vote in any federal, state, or local election — only U.S. citizens may do so, and violations carry criminal and immigration consequences.
- If ICE has lodged a detainer against you or a family member, contact an immigration lawyer immediately. You have the right to appear before an immigration judge before any removal order is issued.
- If you have a prior criminal conviction — even an old one — ask an immigration attorney to review how it affects your green card status before you apply for citizenship or travel abroad.
- If you are in removal proceedings, your attorney can file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days of a removal order, or appeal a removal order to the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Bond Hearing: How to Get Released”.
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A federal fraud conviction combined with a prior robbery conviction puts a green card holder in an extremely vulnerable position in immigration court — both charges can independently trigger deportability under the Immigration and Nationality Act. If an immigration detainer has been lodged, the clock starts immediately: you have 30 days to appeal a removal order and 90 days to file a Motion to Reopen if a removal order is already in place. Anyone in a similar situation should consult an immigration attorney with criminal defense experience before their next hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a green card holder be deported for voting illegally?
Yes. Registering to vote or voting as a non-citizen is a federal crime. It can also make you deportable and permanently bar you from obtaining U.S. citizenship. Only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in federal elections.
What is an immigration detainer and what does it mean for me?
An immigration detainer is a request ICE sends to a jail or court asking them to hold you so ICE can take custody. It does not mean you are automatically deported — you still have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
Can an old criminal conviction affect my green card today?
Yes. Immigration law has no statute of limitations for many crimes. A robbery conviction from decades ago can still be used as grounds for deportation, especially if you face new criminal or fraud charges.
What is the deadline to appeal a removal order?
You have 30 days from the date of a removal order to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals. If you miss that window, you may still file a Motion to Reopen within 90 days, but only under specific circumstances. Talk to an attorney immediately.