Federal officials say a Mauritanian national voted in U.S. elections for years despite a prior deportation order.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A Mauritanian national living illegally in the United States has been charged with voter fraud after allegedly casting ballots in multiple federal elections, according to federal officials.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Mahady Sacko in Philadelphia after authorities determined he had voted unlawfully in several elections dating back more than a decade. Federal authorities identified the suspect in an announcement published by the department’s website, where officials confirmed Sacko had been identified by DHS.
According to DHS, Sacko entered the United States near Miami, Florida, and was later ordered removed by an immigration judge. Officials said he exhausted his appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld the removal order on Nov. 14, 2002.
Despite that order, DHS said Sacko continued to live in the United States and allegedly voted in federal elections beginning in 2008.
The agency said Immigration and Customs Enforcement took Sacko into custody after discovering the voting activity. The agency also posted a photograph of the suspect in a message on social media emphasizing that only citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections. The message appeared in a post shared by the agency’s official account, where ICE stated that only U.S. citizens should be voting in U.S. elections.
Federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania have filed criminal charges connected to the case. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced that Sacko was charged by criminal complaint with fraudulent voting in connection with the 2024 federal election. Details of the charges were outlined in a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where officials confirmed that Sacko had been charged with fraudulent voting.
“Sacko is an illegal alien who was ordered deported in 2000. Despite being an illegal alien, Sacko allegedly unlawfully voted in person in the 2024 general election for federal office. Sacko falsely represented that he was a U.S. citizen in order to vote and register to vote,” the release stated.
If convicted, Sacko could face a sentence of up to five years in federal prison.
Officials said the suspect’s alleged voting activity occurred over multiple election cycles, raising questions about how the activity went undetected for years.
In a statement addressing the case, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the incident demonstrates the importance of election security.
“This criminal illegal alien committed a felony by voting in federal elections dating back to 2008,” Bis said. “Illegal aliens should NOT be electing American leaders. Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens. Congress must pass the SAVE America Act immediately to secure our elections.”
Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Dave McCormick also addressed the case publicly, praising federal prosecutors for pursuing the charges. In a message posted on social media, the senator said he supported efforts to strengthen election security and commended authorities for investigating the allegations. The message appeared in a public statement where McCormick praised the prosecution of the case.
The case has drawn renewed attention to legislation pending in Congress aimed at tightening federal election rules.
President Donald Trump has urged lawmakers to pass the SAVE America Act, legislation supporters say would strengthen voter identification requirements and require proof of citizenship for participation in federal elections.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump said he would not sign other legislation until Congress approves the measure.
“Great Job by hard working Scott Pressler on Fox & Friends talking about using the Filibuster, or Talking Filibuster, in order to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, an 88% issue with ALL VOTERS. It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE,” Trump wrote.
“I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION – GO FOR THE GOLD: MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY – ILLNESS, DISABILITY, TRAVEL: NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS: NO TRANSGENDER MUTILIZATION FOR CHILDREN! DO NOT FAIL!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the proposed legislation. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has described the measure as “Jim Crow 2.0,” arguing that stricter voter identification rules could restrict access to the ballot.
The investigation into Sacko’s alleged voting activity remains ongoing as federal prosecutors pursue the charges filed in Pennsylvania.
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