A Peruvian national was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after authorities say she falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and illegally voted in the 2024 general election in Kansas, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday.
Mariana Alexandra Dewey, a lawful permanent resident and citizen of Peru, was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations special agents after authorities determined she unlawfully voted in the Nov. 5, 2024, election in Sedgwick County, according to DHS.
The arrest comes as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on noncitizens accused of illegally voting in U.S. elections.
“This alien violated the sacred right of every American citizen,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a news release.
WATCH: ILLEGAL ALIEN BUSTED IN BATTLEGROUND STATE AFTER ALLEGEDLY COMMITTING VOTER FRAUD
“If even one noncitizen votes, that steals the voice of a U.S. citizen,” Mullin continued. “Only American citizens have the right to participate in our political and election processes, and DHS will continue to investigate, seek criminal prosecution and ultimately remove aliens who vote to ensure free, fair and honest elections.”
According to DHS, election records showed Dewey submitted a Kansas voter registration application and cast a provisional ballot after certifying, under penalty of perjury, that she was a U.S. citizen.
NONCITIZEN CHARGED WITH VOTING IN MINNESOTA 2024 ELECTION AFTER ADMITTING ‘MISTAKE’ TO INVESTIGATORS
During a subsequent interview with investigators, authorities said Dewey acknowledged she was a lawful permanent resident, not a U.S. citizen, and admitted voting in the 2024 general election. DHS said she later pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct under Kansas law.
The department said Dewey was taken into ICE custody Sept. 1 after HSI agents located her at a residence in Wichita.
DHS described the arrest as the latest in the administration’s effort to crack down on noncitizens accused of illegally voting in American elections.
The department pointed to several recent cases, including enforcement actions involving noncitizens from Colombia, Slovakia, Australia, Mexico and Mauritania, as well as charges against four noncitizens in New Jersey accused of illegally voting in federal elections or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
