A Cuban national has confessed to illegally registering and voting in a U.S. federal election despite not holding American citizenship.
Roberto Figueredo, a Cuban whose legal permanent residency was revoked and who was under a deportation order from the United States, admitted his guilt in a federal court. This announcement came from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida on Monday.
According to the official statement, on January 29, 2020, Figueredo filed a voter registration application in Florida falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and eligibility to vote.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office noted, "At that time, Figueredo was a convicted felon whose voting rights had not been restored. On October 1, 2020, he knowingly participated in a federal election."
On September 30, 2025, Figueredo pleaded guilty to casting a fraudulent vote and voting as a foreigner. He was sentenced on February 4 of this year.
Other Foreign Nationals Convicted
Figueredo is not alone; he was one of three non-citizens convicted in separate cases for illegally participating in U.S. federal elections.
Authorities disclosed that Moisés Lima Junior, a Brazilian national who gained permanent residency in January 2024, registered to vote only a month later, falsely asserting U.S. citizenship. He voted in the federal elections that October, pleaded guilty in February, and was sentenced on May 27.
Gordon Louis, a Haitian citizen with a criminal history, voted in the 2020 general elections for federal offices, including President, Vice President, and a House of Representatives seat, despite acknowledging he wasn't a U.S. citizen. He admitted to illegal voting and received his sentence on April 15.
No additional details about the sentences were provided by the authorities.
Federal Law and Election Integrity
"Federal law mandates that one must be a U.S. citizen to register and vote in federal elections," the Federal Prosecutor's Office emphasized. "According to court records, all three defendants registered and voted in federal elections, fully aware of their ineligibility due to their non-citizen status."
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones was firm in his statement announcing the sentences: "Voting in federal elections is among the most significant rights and responsibilities of American citizenship."
He further warned, "Federal law is explicit: only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections. These defendants knowingly admitted to violating this law."
Reding Quiñones concluded, "The Southern District of Florida is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of our elections and ensuring accountability for those who undermine public trust in the electoral process."
The investigations were conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) units in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with support from the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Similar Cases Involving Cuban Nationals
Figueredo is not the only Cuban with irregular immigration status facing justice for unauthorized participation in elections.
In January, Cecilia Castellanos, a Cuban under a deportation order since 1999, received a five-year prison sentence for illegally voting in Arkansas during the November 2024 elections.
This investigation was initiated following a complaint from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which discovered irregularities in the state's electoral records.
In April 2024, Miami-Dade authorities arrested Lázaro Valle Villar, a 74-year-old Cuban, for registering and participating unlawfully in the U.S. electoral process without citizenship.
Understanding Illegal Voting and Its Consequences
What are the legal repercussions for non-citizens voting in U.S. elections?
Non-citizens who vote illegally face criminal charges, which can result in fines, imprisonment, and potential deportation, as seen in the cases of Roberto Figueredo and others.
How do U.S. authorities detect illegal voting activities?
Illegal voting activities are typically uncovered through investigations by federal and state law enforcement agencies, sometimes initiated by reports of irregularities or discrepancies in electoral records.
Why is voter eligibility important in U.S. elections?
Ensuring voter eligibility is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the democratic process, preventing fraud, and ensuring that election outcomes reflect the will of eligible citizens.