Denise Nataly Migliore, 51, an Australian national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been charged with illegally voting in federal elections in Louisiana, according to a four-count indictment unsealed last month by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Migliore was arrested July 1 at the federal courthouse in New Orleans by Homeland Security Investigations following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Prosecutors allege she falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to register to vote in October 2022 and October 2024, then cast ballots after certifying she was eligible to vote despite being ineligible as a noncitizen.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and enforcement officials say the case underscores the importance of strict citizenship verification in elections. Acting Assistant DHS Secretary of Public Affairs Lauren Bis stated: "This alien from Australia now faces federal charges for falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen and illegally casting ballots in two elections." She added: "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. Only Americans should be electing American leaders."
Republican lawmakers have pointed to this case as evidence supporting legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration. The party has consistently advocated for enhanced election security measures and increased penalties for voter fraud of any kind.
What the Left Is Saying
Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about enforcement actions targeting noncitizen voters, arguing that such cases are rare and that broader voter suppression efforts pose a greater threat to democratic participation. Organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union have long maintained that voting laws should focus on expanding access rather than implementing strict citizenship verification systems that could deter eligible voters.
Immigration attorneys have noted in similar cases that lawful permanent residents sometimes misunderstand residency requirements for voter registration, particularly those who have lived in the United States for extended periods and may believe they meet naturalization qualifications. Defense advocates argue that prosecution should be reserved for clear intentional fraud rather than administrative errors.
What the Numbers Show
Noncitizen voting in federal elections is rare, according to multiple studies. A 2020 study by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law found that confirmed cases of noncitizens casting ballots represent approximately 0.0001% of total votes cast in jurisdictions examined. The Government Accountability Office reported in a 2016 review that most identified cases involved permanent residents who mistakenly registered without understanding their eligibility status.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement data shows that the agency has increased enforcement actions related to election fraud under recent administrations. If convicted, Migliore faces up to five years in federal prison per count for making false statements and illegal voting, along with potential deportation as a noncitizen with a criminal conviction.
The Bottom Line
The case highlights ongoing debates over voter eligibility verification while representing an isolated instance of alleged intentional fraud rather than systemic issues. DHS officials have signaled increased attention to election-related immigration enforcement following policy directives targeting noncitizens who vote illegally. Migliore's case is pending in federal court, and she has not yet entered a plea. Her next scheduled court appearance had not been publicly disclosed at time of publication.