The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday pointed to a recent election case as an example of why it considers one of its verification systems important in preventing voter fraud.
The case centers on Jose Ceballos-Armendariz, a Mexican national and former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas. Earlier this week, he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts tied to improper participation in elections. Prosecutors had accused him of voting multiple times and marking himself as a U.S. citizen on voter registration forms despite not holding citizenship.
Ceballos-Armendariz has lived in the United States for decades and has held a green card since 1990, according to DHS. He was reelected as mayor in the same election that later drew scrutiny, but stepped down once charges were filed last November.
In a statement to Fox News, DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the conviction highlights a broader concern about election integrity. She also emphasized the role of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, known as SAVE, calling it a key resource for state and local governments. The system allows agencies to check a person’s immigration status against federal databases.
The SAVE program was expanded last May under the Trump administration, giving election officials more access to verify whether someone is eligible to vote. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said at the time that the tool could help prevent situations like this one.
Originally, Ceballos-Armendariz faced more serious charges, including election perjury and voting without being qualified. Those charges carried the possibility of harsher penalties, and DHS had indicated he could face removal proceedings if convicted. Under federal law, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship can have significant immigration consequences.
However, the final outcome was less severe. By pleading guilty to misdemeanor offenses, he avoided jail time. As part of the agreement, he will pay $2,000 in fines and serve a six-month suspended sentence, meaning he will not be incarcerated as long as he complies with the terms of his probation.
His attorney told local outlet KAKE that the reduced charges should not affect his immigration status or his ongoing efforts to become a U.S. citizen. In fact, Ceballos-Armendariz applied for citizenship in February 2025.
Despite the legal trouble, he has expressed hope about his future in the United States. In an interview, he said he believes his long history in the community and local support could work in his favor. He also left open the possibility of returning to public office one day if he becomes a citizen.
