A green card holder from Peru has been arrested. Federal agents say she voted illegally in the 2024 U.S. election. The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest on Thursday.
Her name is Mariana Alexandra Dewey. She holds a green card but is not a U.S. citizen. Authorities say she filled out a Kansas voter registration form. She checked a box claiming she was a U.S. citizen. That certification carried a penalty of perjury, according to DHS. She cast a ballot in Sedgwick County, Kansas, on Nov. 5, 2024.
Investigators later interviewed Dewey. She admitted she was a green card holder, not a citizen. She pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct under Kansas law.
ICE agents found Dewey at a home in Wichita. She was taken into federal custody on Sept. 1.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin spoke sharply about the case. "This alien violated the sacred right of every American citizen," he said. He added, "If even one noncitizen votes, that steals the voice of a U.S. citizen." Mullin said DHS will keep investigating. He said the goal is to seek criminal prosecution and remove noncitizens who vote.
This case is part of a bigger enforcement push. The Trump administration has made this a priority. DHS says it is finding similar cases around the country. Recent arrests involve people from Colombia, Slovakia, Australia, Mexico, and Mauritania. In New Jersey, four noncitizens now face charges. Some are accused of voting in federal elections. Others are accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
Under U.S. law, only citizens may vote in federal or state elections. Green card holders have the right to live and work here legally. Voting is not one of those rights. Breaking this law can lead to criminal charges. It can also mean losing a green card and deportation.
Supporters of the crackdown say any illegal vote cancels a legal one. Critics argue such cases are rare and isolated. That debate is now front and center in Washington.
Check your voter registration at your state's official election website. If you suspect election fraud, contact your state's Secretary of State or the FBI.