A federal indictment and a July arrest in New Orleans allege that a noncitizen accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship registered and voted in two recent federal elections. Denise Nataly Migliore, 51, was charged in a four-count indictment brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct centers on voter registration certifications in October 2022 and October 2024 and ballots cast in the Novembers that followed.
noncitizen accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship: what prosecutors say
According to the indictment referenced by federal officials, Migliore certified she was a U.S. citizen when submitting voter registration forms in October 2022 and again in October 2024. The four-count federal indictment charges false statements on voter registration forms and illegal voting in federal elections. These are allegations contained in an indictment — they have not been proven in court.
Prosecutors say the indictment sets out the dates of the registrations and the certifications Migliore allegedly made on official voter forms. The complaint alleges those certifications led to ballots being cast in November 2022 and November 2024 that federal prosecutors now challenge.
Alleged registration and ballots
Federal charging documents, as described by prosecutors, focus on two discrete registration events in October of 2022 and October of 2024 and the ballots allegedly cast in the subsequent Novembers. The indictment reportedly ties the counts to the specific forms and signatures submitted during registration.
Readers should note that the assertion that ballots were cast based on false certifications remains an allegation; it has not been adjudicated. Allegations of illegal voting can carry both criminal and immigration-related consequences if proven, but any outcome will depend on the evidence presented at trial and judicial findings.
Arrest and agencies involved
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arrested Migliore on July 1 at the federal courthouse in New Orleans, officials said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana filed the indictment and will prosecute the case in federal court.
Federal law enforcement partners worked with ICE to develop the investigation that led to the indictment, according to statements by agency officials. The arrest at the courthouse was executed by HSI agents as part of that enforcement action.
Potential penalties and the legal process
The indictment charges offenses that carry a maximum statutory sentence of up to five years in prison for each relevant count. In addition to incarceration, the counts include potential supervised release of up to three years, fines up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100, as noted by federal prosecutors in their charging information.
Importantly, an indictment is only an accusation and does not establish guilt. Migliore is entitled to the presumption of innocence and all constitutional protections as the case moves through arraignment, potential motions and any subsequent trial. Public court filings in the federal docket for the Eastern District of Louisiana will show scheduled dates and motions as the matter proceeds.
Enforcement stance and official statements
U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials described the case as the result of coordinated investigative work by ICE and federal partners. Acting Assistant DHS Secretary for Public Affairs Lauren Bis emphasized enforcement priorities around illegal voting and immigration consequences. In a statement attributed to DHS, the agencies warned that noncitizens who vote can face criminal charges and removal proceedings.
Agency statements included stronger enforcement language reflecting policy aims. One DHS statement conveyed the message: “We will find you, arrest you and you will face the consequences, including criminal charges and deportation. Only Americans should be electing American leaders.” That statement is an agency enforcement message and does not determine the defendant’s guilt or the legal outcome in court.
Brief background on federal election law
Federal law makes it unlawful for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Prosecutions for alleged illegal voting by noncitizens are pursued by U.S. Attorney’s Offices when investigators and prosecutors believe there is evidence that a noncitizen knowingly voted or falsely certified citizenship on a registration form. An indictment follows a grand jury determination that probable cause exists to charge the offense; guilt must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
What comes next
Following the arrest and indictment, the case will move through federal criminal procedures. Expect an arraignment and scheduling orders to appear on the federal docket for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Public court records and filings will provide the official timeline for hearings, discovery, any plea discussions and, if necessary, trial dates.
For readers tracking developments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filings and public court docket are primary sources for verified updates. Fox News and other outlets have reported on the indictment and arrest, and federal press releases and docket entries provide the authoritative record.
Source attribution
This story is based on reporting from Fox News and statements attributed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Read the Fox News account here: Noncitizen accused of falsely claiming US citizenship before casting federal ballots. For official materials from the prosecutor, see the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana news page for related press releases and filings: U.S. Attorney’s Office, E.D. La. — News.
All claims in the indictment are allegations. They have not been proven in court, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
