An Australian citizen and permanent resident living in the United States was arrested on charges of voting in federal elections by falsely claiming to be a US citizen.
According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, 51-year-old Denise Nataly Migliore registered to vote in October 2022 and October 2024 by falsely claiming she was a US citizen. The office said she went on to vote in the federal elections held in November of those years.
Migliore was not entitled to vote because she was not a US citizen. After an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents at the New Orleans federal courthouse on July 1.
In a statement on the matter, Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Lauren Bis said, "This Australian foreign national is accused of illegally voting in two elections after claiming to be a US citizen. Our message is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face criminal penalties as well as deportation. Only Americans should choose American leaders."
The indictment against Migliore includes charges of making false statements in voter registration and illegal voting. If convicted, she faces up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 special assessment fee.
Following this case, the FBI charged four non-citizens in New Jersey with illegal voting. DHS had previously issued a directive ordering the deportation of illegal immigrants who vote in elections. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also supported anti-ICE measures, including banning police cooperation and allowing lawsuits against federal agents.
