U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mariana Alexandra Dewey, a Peruvian national and lawful permanent resident, after authorities accused her of illegally voting in Kansas during the 2024 general election. The Department of Homeland Security said Dewey allegedly certified that she was a U.S. citizen when registering and casting a provisional ballot. She was taken into custody in Wichita on September 1, 2026, after investigators located her at a residence. The case is part of a broader federal effort targeting noncitizens accused of voting in U.S. elections.
Authorities said Dewey later acknowledged that she was a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen and admitted voting in the election. DHS said she pleaded guilty under Kansas law to disorderly election conduct. The department also cited several other recent cases involving noncitizens from multiple countries.
| 1) | Arrest follows alleged Kansas election violation |
|---|---|
| 2) | Investigators describe registration and ballot records |
| 3) | Dewey enters guilty plea under Kansas law |
| 4) | Federal officials broaden enforcement focus |
| 5) | DHS links case to other noncitizen investigations |
Arrest follows alleged Kansas election violation
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested Mariana Alexandra Dewey in Wichita, Kansas, on September 1, 2026. DHS identified her as a citizen of Peru who holds lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Authorities said the arrest followed an investigation into her participation in the November 5, 2024, general election in Sedgwick County.
The department alleged that Dewey falsely represented herself as a U.S. citizen while taking part in the election. Federal officials described the case as an enforcement matter involving both immigration consequences and alleged election-related misconduct.
Investigators describe registration and ballot records
According to DHS, election records showed that Dewey submitted a Kansas voter registration application and cast a provisional ballot. Authorities said the application included a certification of U.S. citizenship made under penalty of perjury.
Investigators later interviewed Dewey and said she acknowledged that she was a lawful permanent resident, not a U.S. citizen. Authorities also said she admitted voting in the 2024 general election. The department did not provide additional details about the ballot’s outcome or whether it was counted.
Dewey enters guilty plea under Kansas law
DHS said Dewey subsequently pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct under Kansas law. The statement characterized the plea as part of the case’s state-level legal process, while her detention was handled by ICE after HSI agents located her in Wichita.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said noncitizens are not legally entitled to participate in U.S. elections.
“If even one noncitizen votes, that steals the voice of a U.S. citizen,” Mullin said.
He also said the department would continue investigating cases, pursuing criminal prosecutions and seeking the removal of noncitizens who vote.
Federal officials broaden enforcement focus
The arrest comes as the administration directs ICE to pursue immigration enforcement against undocumented immigrants who vote in U.S. elections. In Dewey’s case, however, DHS identified her as a lawful permanent resident, a status distinct from undocumented immigration.
The stated rationale for the broader initiative is to protect the restriction of federal elections to eligible citizens. Officials said the enforcement process combines election records, immigration information and investigative interviews to identify suspected violations and determine whether criminal or immigration action is appropriate.
DHS links case to other noncitizen investigations
DHS cited several other recent enforcement actions involving noncitizens from Colombia, Slovakia, Australia, Mexico and Mauritania. The department also referred to charges against four noncitizens in New Jersey who were accused of illegally voting in federal elections or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
The cases were presented as examples of a wider federal focus rather than as evidence that all noncitizen voting allegations involve the same conduct or legal status. Each matter depends on the relevant election records, statements, charges and court proceedings.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dewey is a Peruvian national and lawful permanent resident. |
| 2 | Authorities accused her of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and voting in Kansas in 2024. |
| 3 | She was arrested in Wichita on September 1, 2026. |
| 4 | DHS said she pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct. |
| 5 | Officials linked the arrest to similar investigations nationwide. |
Summary
The Kansas case illustrates how election records and immigration investigations can lead to parallel state and federal action. DHS says Dewey admitted voting after identifying herself as a citizen, and the department is pursuing similar cases involving noncitizens in several states. Further legal and immigration proceedings will determine the consequences of the arrest and guilty plea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Mariana Alexandra Dewey, a Peruvian national and lawful permanent resident, was arrested by ICE in Wichita, Kansas.
What do authorities allege?
Authorities allege that Dewey falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when registering and casting a provisional ballot in the 2024 Kansas general election.
What happened after the investigation?
DHS said Dewey admitted she was not a U.S. citizen and had voted, then pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct under Kansas law.
