Australian Woman Arrested in US for Illegal Voting in 2022 and 2024 Elections

Denise Nataly Migliore, 51, an Australian permanent resident, was arrested on July 1 at a federal courthouse in New Orleans after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation found she illegally voted in the 2022 and 2024 US federal elections. Migliore was indicted on four counts on June 11 for illegal voting and making false statements to register to vote. Prosecutors allege she knowingly claimed US citizenship in October 2022 and October 2024 to register, then cast ineligible ballots in November of each year.

What Migliore is accused of

Migliore falsely claimed to be a US citizen when registering to vote in October 2022 and October 2024, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. She then cast ballots on November 8, 2022 and November 5, 2024 despite not being a US citizen. As a legal permanent resident, she was ineligible to vote in federal elections under US law.

Potential penalties if convicted

If convicted, Migliore faces a maximum of five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters of the General Crimes Unit.

Federal response and Trump’s involvement

Acting Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis said the arrest resulted from “the hard work of the men and women of ICE law enforcement and our federal partners.” She stated: “Our message to aliens who vote in American elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face the consequences, including criminal charges and deportation.” President Trump posted about the case on Truth Social on July 9, linking to news coverage and calling Migliore an “Australian alien.” Trump has previously alleged immigrants improperly influence US elections, though comprehensive studies show such instances are extremely rare.

Migliore’s background and defence claim

Migliore, a resident of Franklinton, Louisiana, had lived in the United States for nearly three decades. According to local outlet NOLA, she claimed she thought legal permanent residents could vote and did not know it was illegal for non-citizens to do so. The investigation was conducted jointly by ICE and the FBI.

Final Thoughts

Migliore’s arrest highlights enforcement of federal voting eligibility rules, though non-citizen voting remains statistically rare. For Australian readers, the case underscores the strict citizenship requirements for voting in US federal elections, even for long-term permanent residents.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.