An Australian national with lawful permanent residency in the United States has been taken into custody in Louisiana, accused of casting illegal votes in two consecutive federal elections by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security released on Tuesday.
Denise Nataly Migliore, residing in Franklinton, Louisiana, was apprehended on July 1st by agents from the New Orleans Division of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Her arrest took place at the federal courthouse in the city.
The formal charges, handed down by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana on June 11, accuse her of two federal offenses: illegal voting in a federal election and submitting false statements to register as a voter.
The Eastern District of Louisiana's prosecution alleges that Migliore misrepresented her citizenship status when she registered to vote and subsequently participated in the 2022 and 2024 elections, indicating a willful pattern over two consecutive election cycles.
This investigation was jointly conducted by ICE and the FBI, with Assistant Special Prosecutor Rick Veters from the General Crimes Unit overseeing the prosecution.
Lauren Bis, acting Assistant Secretary at DHS, was forthright in her assessment: "This Australian foreign national now faces federal charges for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and casting illegal votes in two elections. Our message to foreign nationals voting in U.S. elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face consequences, including criminal charges and deportation. Only Americans should elect American leaders."
What makes Migliore's case stand out is that she is not an undocumented immigrant but a lawful permanent resident—commonly known as a "green card" holder—from Australia, an allied nation. While permanent residents have the right to live and work indefinitely in the U.S., they are legally prohibited from voting in federal elections, a privilege reserved solely for citizens.
Illegal voting in federal elections has been a criminal offense since the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, with potential penalties including up to a year of imprisonment, fines, and deportation.
This arrest is part of a series of similar federal operations initiated during the second Trump administration. In 2025, ICE's Operation "False Haven" and the Department of Justice led to the arrest of three non-citizens for illegal voting in Arkansas, including a 59-year-old Cuban woman accused of electoral fraud after falsely claiming to be a citizen.
In the same year, HSI Miami arrested a Cuban accused of electoral fraud in Florida, along with another foreign national from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Migliore's case arises amid Congressional debates over the so-called "Save America Act," which seeks to mandate proof of citizenship for federal voter registration, a measure its proponents argue directly addresses situations like these.
Key Questions about Illegal Voting and Citizenship
What are the consequences of illegal voting in the United States?
Illegal voting in the United States can result in criminal charges, including up to a year of imprisonment, fines, and possible deportation for non-citizens.
Why is proof of citizenship being debated for voter registration?
Proof of citizenship for voter registration is being debated to prevent non-citizens from illegally participating in elections, ensuring that only eligible citizens vote in federal elections.