Former Kansas Mayor In Voter-Fraud Case Surrenders To ICE Custody
Jose Ceballos-Armendariz surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at its Wichita office on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, and was detained in Chase County.[1]
Ceballos, a lawful permanent resident from Mexico and a two-term former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to three counts of disorderly election conduct for illegal voting.[1]
He is accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on a Kansas voter registration form and on a February 2026 naturalization application. The Department of Homeland Security says its SAVE program has flagged more than 24,000 potential noncitizens on voter rolls since April 2025, and referred cases to ICE Homeland Security Investigations.
Ceballos surrendered after pleading guilty and will remain in ICE custody pending immigration processing and any further court action.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Jose Ceballos-Armendariz surrendered at the ICE office in Wichita and was detained in Chase County.
- Ceballos, a lawful permanent resident from Mexico and two-term former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, pleaded guilty in April 2026 to three counts of disorderly election conduct for illegal voting.
- Authorities say he falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on a Kansas voter registration form and on a February 2026 naturalization application.
- DHS says its SAVE program has flagged more than 24,000 potential noncitizens on voter rolls since April 2025, cases referred to ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and is citing the matter in pushing the SAVE America Act.
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