Wichita, Kan. – Federal immigration officials arrested Mariana Alexandra Dewey, a lawful permanent resident and citizen of Peru, after she allegedly misrepresented herself as a U.S. citizen and voted in the November 5, 2024 general election in Sedgwick County. The arrest was announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday.
Details of the alleged fraud
According to DHS, Dewey submitted a Kansas voter‑registration application and, under penalty of perjury, certified that she was a U.S. citizen. She then cast a provisional ballot in the 2024 election. During a subsequent interview with investigators, she acknowledged that she was a lawful permanent resident, not a citizen, and admitted to voting.
Dewey later pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct under Kansas law, the agency said. She was taken into ICE custody on September 1 after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents located her at a residence in Wichita.
Administration’s stance on non‑citizen voting
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the conduct a violation of the “sacred right of every American citizen.” He warned that even a single non‑citizen vote “steals the voice of a U.S. citizen” and pledged that the department will continue to investigate, prosecute, and remove aliens who vote to protect free, fair, and honest elections.
The arrest is presented as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to enforce immigration laws and safeguard the integrity of American elections. DHS cited recent enforcement actions involving non‑citizens from Colombia, Slovakia, Australia, Mexico, and Mauritania, as well as charges against four non‑citizens in New Jersey accused of illegally voting in federal elections or falsely claiming citizenship.
Legal and community implications
Kansas law treats illegal voting as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and possible jail time. The case underscores the importance of verifying citizenship status before casting a ballot, a point emphasized by immigration officials and many local leaders who argue that election security is essential to preserving public trust.
Critics of the administration’s enforcement approach argue that focusing on isolated cases may distract from broader election‑security reforms, such as updating voter‑registration databases and improving poll‑worker training. However, DHS officials maintain that each illegal vote undermines the democratic process and must be addressed promptly.
What residents should know
For Kansas residents, the incident serves as a reminder to ensure that voter‑registration forms are completed accurately and truthfully. Those who are lawful permanent residents but not citizens are ineligible to vote in federal, state, or local elections. The state’s Secretary of State office provides resources for verifying eligibility and reporting suspected fraud.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about potential voter fraud to contact local law‑enforcement or the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
