Green Card Holder Pleads Guilty After Voting in U.S. Elections
Why noncitizens should understand the immigration consequences of voting and voter registration
By Ral Obioha, Esq. LLM
Board Certified Specialist – Immigration & Nationality Law
A recent federal prosecution in Texas is an important reminder that a green card does not make someone a U.S. citizen and that voting or making a false claim to U.S. citizenship can create serious criminal and immigration consequences.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, 63-year-old Ada Ngozi Otuka, a lawful resident who resided in Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty to illegal voting by an alien and falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. The case is particularly important for immigrants because the conduct at issue did not simply disappear with time; it later intersected with her naturalization process.
What Happened?
According to the Department of Justice, Otuka admitted that she illegally voted in the 2020 federal election and falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when completing her Texas voter registration and statement of residence.
Federal prosecutors stated that records showed she had voted in elections in 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2024. Although she was a lawful resident, she was not a U.S. citizen and was not permitted to vote in U.S. federal elections.
Then She Applied for Citizenship
The voting history later became relevant to her naturalization process.
According to DOJ, Otuka received a notice in 2025 that her voter registration status was being examined because information had been received regarding her lack of U.S. citizenship. DOJ also reported that, in 2025, she completed a naturalization application indicating that she had voted unlawfully.
The practical lesson for immigrants is significant: conduct from years earlier can resurface when USCIS reviews a later immigration application. Naturalization requires USCIS to examine an applicant’s history, and prior voter registration, voting, or claims to citizenship can become highly consequential.
One Decision Can Have Serious Consequences
The criminal consequences in this case are substantial. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Otuka faces up to five years in federal prison for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and up to another year for illegal voting. She could also be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000.
Her sentencing is scheduled for November 5, 2026. These are potential penalties; sentencing had not occurred as of the date of this article.
A Green Card Does Not Make You a U.S. Citizen
Lawful permanent residence gives a person significant rights in the United States, but it is not U.S. citizenship. Lawful permanent residents generally cannot vote in federal elections.
The same caution applies to other noncitizens, including people with employment authorization, TPS or DACA, asylum or refugee status, a pending green card application, or a pending naturalization application. Having lawful status, work authorization, or even an approved naturalization application before the oath ceremony does not itself make a person a U.S. citizen.
For federal elections, a person should not assume the right to vote until citizenship has actually been acquired.
It Is Not Just About Casting a Ballot
Voter registration can create a separate problem.
In Otuka’s case, DOJ stated that she falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen when completing her Texas voter registration and statement of residence. For immigration purposes, a false claim to U.S. citizenship can carry extremely serious consequences.
That means the legal concern may arise before a ballot is ever cast. A noncitizen should be careful when completing voter registration forms, motor vehicle forms, employment documents, benefit applications, or any other document that asks whether the person is a U.S. citizen.
Receiving Election Materials Does Not Automatically Mean You Are Eligible
Noncitizens should not assume they are eligible to vote simply because someone registered them, they received a voter registration card, election mail arrived at their home, they received a ballot, or their name appears on a voter roll.
Eligibility is determined by the applicable law, not merely by whether election materials were issued. If there is any uncertainty about citizenship status or voting eligibility, the safer course is to obtain accurate legal guidance before taking action.
Already Registered or Voted?
If you previously registered to vote, voted while you were not a U.S. citizen, or believe you may have accidentally claimed U.S. citizenship, do not assume the problem can be corrected by simply submitting another form or explanation.
Before filing a naturalization application or another immigration benefit, it is important to understand exactly what happened, what documents were signed, what representations were made, whether a ballot was actually cast, and what exceptions or defenses may apply under the particular facts.
Making additional statements without first understanding the immigration consequences can make an already complicated record more difficult to address.
Why This Matters at Naturalization
Naturalization applications ask detailed questions about an applicant’s immigration and legal history. Prior voting and claims to U.S. citizenship can therefore come directly into focus during the N-400 process.
Applicants should answer questions truthfully, but a person who has a history involving voter registration, voting, or a possible citizenship claim should consider obtaining legal advice before filing. The issue may involve more than naturalization eligibility and can have consequences for the person’s broader immigration status.
The Bottom Line
A green card is not the same as U.S. citizenship. For noncitizens, voting in a federal election or falsely representing oneself as a U.S. citizen can create serious consequences that may follow the person into future immigration proceedings.
If you have already registered or voted and are concerned about the consequences, do not wait until USCIS raises the issue. Review the history before filing the next immigration application and understand what the record actually shows.
How We Can Help
At Ral Obioha Law, we evaluate immigration cases in the context of the client’s complete history. If you are concerned about prior voter registration, voting, or a possible claim to U.S. citizenship, our firm can review your immigration and voting history and help you understand how the issue may affect a pending or future immigration case.
Schedule a consultation: AskRal.as.me
Website: www.ralobiohalaw.com
Email: hello@ralobiohalaw.com | Call: (713) 234-1100
Source note: The case-specific facts and potential criminal penalties discussed above are based on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas press release dated July 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Voting and immigration consequences depend on the specific facts, governing law, and history of each case.
