Illegal voting charges were announced against 16 noncitizens in cases spanning eight states, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, with allegations involving federal ballots, voter registration and false claims of U.S. citizenship.
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Illegal Voting Update
The cases announced Friday, September 18, 2026, include lawful permanent residents and people whom prosecutors identify as being in the United States unlawfully. The allegations include alleged illegal voting in the 2022 and 2024 elections, along with making false statements during voter registration, naturalization or passport applications.
The Justice Department said the cases were brought in federal districts in Texas, Idaho, Georgia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey and Michigan. The department grouped eight of the cases under Texas federal prosecutions, including seven in the Northern District of Texas and one in the Western District.
What the Justice Department announced
The announcement covers a range of alleged conduct rather than a single coordinated scheme. The central allegations include alleged illegal voting in federal elections or representing themselves as U.S. citizens while registering or attempting to vote.
| Federal district | Number of people identified | Allegations described by DOJ |
|---|---|---|
| Northern District of Texas | 7 | Alleged illegal voting, false citizenship statements and a naturalization-related charge |
| Western District of Texas | 1 | Alleged registration and illegal voting in November 2024 |
| District of Idaho | 1 | Alleged voting, false citizenship, identity-document, passport and firearm-related offenses |
| Northern District of Georgia | 3 | Alleged voting in federal elections, false identity use and a passport statement |
| District of Massachusetts | 1 | Alleged voting in the 2022 and 2024 elections |
| Western District of Wisconsin | 1 | Alleged false citizenship statement during voter registration |
| District of New Jersey | 1 | Alleged voting in multiple federal elections and false statements on naturalization applications |
| Eastern District of Michigan | 1 | Alleged voting in the 2024 general election |
The figures total 16 people. The Justice Department’s release described eight defendants as residing in Texas when the Northern and Western District cases are considered together.
Texas cases include lawful permanent residents
Seven people identified in the Northern District of Texas were charged in cases involving alleged illegal voting or related false statements. The defendants include lawful permanent residents from Nigeria, Mexico, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as a Mexican national whom the department described as unlawfully present.
According to the allegations, some defendants allegedly engaged in illegal voting after registering as voters or falsely stating that they were U.S. citizens. One defendant, Joshua Nmelichukwu Akpom, was charged with false statements related to naturalization rather than an illegal voting count listed in the release.
In the Western District of Texas, Monica Carzoli, a lawful permanent resident, was arrested in Del Rio after allegedly registering to vote and voting in the November 2024 election. The department said Carzoli admitted to the conduct described in the case.
Lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green-card holders, are not U.S. citizens and generally cannot vote in federal elections. A registration mistake, however, is not automatically proof of criminal intent; prosecutors must establish the elements of the charged offenses in court.
Idaho indictment includes several additional counts
A federal grand jury in Boise indicted Avila Gomez in a case that includes alleged illegal voting and a broader set of charges. The Justice Department said Gomez allegedly claimed to be a U.S. citizen to register and vote in May 2022 and November 2024.
The indictment also includes allegations involving wire fraud, theft of government funds, fraudulent identification documents, a false statement in a passport application, a false statement during a firearm purchase and unlawful firearm possession.
Because those allegations involve separate federal offenses, the Idaho case could carry different legal consequences from cases focused only on voting. The indictment itself remains an accusation, and the government must prove each count beyond a reasonable doubt.
Georgia cases involve alleged voting and identity claims
Three people in Georgia face charges related to alleged illegal voting. Pauline Lewis was arrested on a complaint alleging that she voted as a noncitizen in a federal election.
Gabriel Covarrubias is accused of voting in person under a false name in the November 2024 federal election and making a false statement in a U.S. passport application. Analiea Milliscent Eccles, whom the department described as a Venezuelan national and DACA recipient, is accused of voting nine times between 2008 and 2024 and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship for voting purposes.
Criminal complaints establish the government’s allegations at the beginning of a case. They do not establish that the accused person committed the offense.
Other defendants face voting or naturalization allegations
The Massachusetts case involves Gladys Adaeze Okafor, a Nigerian national and lawful permanent resident who was arrested and charged with allegedly engaging in illegal voting in the 2022 elections and the 2024 general election.
In Wisconsin, Julieta Englestad, a Colombian national and lawful permanent resident, is accused of falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen when registering to vote in November 2022. The Justice Department said the alleged registration count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while the alleged illegal voting count carries a maximum of one year if she is convicted.
In New Jersey, Santana Coulibaly is accused of registering in 2016, voting in federal elections in 2018 and 2020, and submitting a provisional ballot during the 2024 presidential election. The case also includes allegations that she made false statements on two naturalization applications.
In Michigan, Victoria Viktorivna Aquilina, a Russian national, was charged with allegedly voting in the 2024 general election after registering to vote in 2023.
Federal law and immigration consequences
Federal law generally prohibits illegal voting by a noncitizen in an election held in whole or in part to choose the president, vice president, presidential electors, members of Congress or certain other federal offices. A limited exception can apply when a state or local election is conducted separately and noncitizens are legally permitted to vote on a nonfederal question.
Separate federal law prohibits knowingly making a false claim of U.S. citizenship to register to vote or vote in a federal, state or local election. The Justice Department has used those provisions in several of the cases announced this week.
USCIS policy also treats unlawful voter registration, unlawful voting and false citizenship claims as potentially significant in immigration matters. Depending on the facts and the applicable law, alleged conduct may affect a person’s eligibility for naturalization, good-moral-character determination, admissibility or removability. Immigration consequences are fact-specific and can depend on what was said, when it was said, the person’s intent and whether a statutory exception applies.
What happens next in the cases
The defendants will proceed through the federal criminal process, which may include initial appearances, detention hearings, arraignments, motions, plea negotiations or trial. The government must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, and a complaint, indictment or information is not a finding of guilt.
People who believe they may have been registered to vote or may have voted despite not being eligible should obtain advice from a qualified immigration and criminal-defense attorney before making statements to investigators or submitting immigration applications. Voting records, registration forms, ballot status and citizenship documents can be important to the analysis.
Anyone applying for naturalization should answer USCIS questions completely and accurately. A person who is unsure how to report prior voter registration or election activity should seek individualized legal advice rather than guessing on Form N-400 or another immigration filing.
The Justice Department said the investigations remain subject to the presumption of innocence. The September 18 announcement does not establish that any defendant is guilty, and the ultimate outcome will be decided through the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lawful permanent residents vote in federal elections?
Generally, no. Lawful permanent residents are not U.S. citizens and cannot vote in federal elections. Separate state or local rules may apply to limited nonfederal elections, but federal law restricts noncitizen voting in elections involving federal offices.
What is the difference between illegal voting and a false citizenship claim?
Illegal voting concerns casting a ballot when the person is not legally eligible. A false citizenship claim concerns knowingly representing that a person is a U.S. citizen to register or vote. Prosecutors may charge one or both offenses depending on the alleged conduct.
Can alleged illegal voting affect an immigration application?
It can. USCIS policy says unlawful registration, unlawful voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship may affect naturalization and other immigration determinations. The consequences depend on the facts, the person’s intent, timing and applicable statutory exceptions.
Have the 16 defendants been found guilty?
No. The Justice Department announcement concerns charges, complaints, indictments and an information. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless the government proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Fact-Checked: The report was checked against the Justice Department’s September 18, 2026 press release, the cited federal statute and USCIS policy guidance available as of September 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Immigration and criminal consequences depend on the facts of each case.
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