The Arkansas Attorney General's Office has arrested a Cuban citizen, Cecilia Castellanos, a resident of Rogers, accused of perjury and a Class D felony for illegally voting in the 2024 general elections.
The Attorney General Tim Griffin stated that his office acted "swiftly and decisively" to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. According to the investigation, Castellanos, 59 years old, is alleged to have indicated on a registration form that she was a U.S. citizen and that she had no felony convictions.
Nevertheless, according to the file, he has three convictions in New York and has a deportation order issued by an immigration judge 26 years ago.
The case is part of an operation that resulted in three arrests of non-citizens for illegal voting in Arkansas.
The investigation started at the beginning of the year when federal authorities alerted about electoral records incompatible with the citizenship status of certain voters.
The Prosecutor's Office worked together with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to verify the records and proceed with the arrests.
The official statement does not specify hearing dates, potential court agreements, or the sentence Castellanos would face if found guilty of the state charges.
"Arkansas elections are solid and secure," Griffin stated, emphasizing that his office will act on "uncommon violations" such as those detected in this case.
Recently, U.S. authorities warned about the consequences of Operation "False Haven" —translated by some as "false sky"— a joint offensive by ICE and the Department of Justice to revoke citizenships obtained through fraud and expel those who concealed serious crimes, particularly sexual abuse against minors, during their naturalization process.
The notice recalled the case of the Cuban Orlando Chávez, 43 years old, naturalized and later convicted of naturalization fraud and of using a citizenship certificate obtained fraudulently.
According to the file, Chávez lied under oath in his application (July 14, 2017) and during the USCIS interview (April 19, 2018) by denying having engaged in coercive sexual conduct or undetected crimes.
A federal jury found him guilty of charges of naturalization fraud and using a fraudulent certificate following an investigation by ERO Miami as part of "False Haven."
Frequently asked questions regarding the illegal voting case in Arkansas
Why was Cecilia Castellanos arrested in Arkansas?
Cecilia Castellanos was arrested for voting illegally in the 2024 general elections, facing charges of perjury and a Class D felony. She is accused of falsifying her U.S. citizenship status on the voter registration form.
What is Operation "False Haven" and how does it affect immigrants?
The "False Haven" Operation is an initiative by U.S. authorities to detect and prosecute fraud in the naturalization process. This operation focuses on revoking citizenships obtained fraudulently and deporting individuals who concealed serious crimes during their naturalization process, thus protecting the integrity of the immigration system.
What are the legal consequences of voting illegally in the U.S.?
Voting illegally in the U.S. can result in charges of perjury and serious felonies, which may lead to prison sentences, fines, and deportation if the individual is a foreign national. The case of Cecilia Castellanos in Arkansas is an example of the strict enforcement of these laws.
What measures is Arkansas taking to ensure electoral integrity?
Arkansas is strengthening its electoral security measures through investigations and swift actions against uncommon violations, such as illegal voting by non-citizens, to ensure that its elections are safe and reliable.
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