Federal authorities arrested Mariana Alexandra Dewey, a 24-year-old Peruvian national and lawful permanent resident, on September 1, 2024, for allegedly voting in the November 5, 2024, general election in Sedgwick County, Kansas, after falsely claiming U.S. citizenship.
Dewey was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents at a residence in Wichita, Kansas, and processed at a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. She faces multiple charges, including false claim of citizenship, fraudulent election conduct, and voting by an alien in a federal election, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
How the Allegation Arose
Investigators reviewed election records showing Dewey submitted a Kansas voter registration application and cast a provisional ballot at the Hope Church polling location in Wichita on Election Day. Both documents included sworn statements affirming her eligibility, including a claim of U.S. citizenship. Dewey later acknowledged to investigators that she was a lawful permanent resident, not a citizen, and admitted to voting in the 2024 election.
Legal and Political Responses
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a news release that Dewey’s alleged actions violated the rights of U.S. citizens. “If even one non-citizen votes, that steals the voice of a U.S. citizen,” Mullin said. “Only American citizens have the right to participate in our political and election processes.”
The arrest follows a broader Trump administration crackdown on noncitizens accused of illegally voting in U.S. elections. Authorities have made multiple arrests in similar cases nationwide, including in Minnesota, where another noncitizen was charged with voting in the 2024 election after admitting to investigators that it was a mistake.
Dewey’s Background and Legal Status
Dewey, who moved to a different address after the election, was first contacted by investigators in April 2026. During an initial interview, she falsely identified herself as a U.S. citizen before later correcting herself. She was subsequently arrested on September 1, 2026, and remains in ICE custody pending further legal proceedings.
Charges and Potential Consequences
Dewey faces four criminal counts, including:
- False claim of citizenship
- False claim of U.S. citizenship to vote
- Fraudulent election conduct
- Voting by an alien in a federal election
Under Kansas law, she has pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct, though additional federal charges may apply. The case highlights ongoing debates over election integrity and the enforcement of citizenship requirements in voting.