An illegal alien from Mauritania has been charged in Philadelphia for claiming to be a U.S. citizen and voting in federal elections on at least seven occasions.
Mahady Sacko, 50, allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship and fraudulently voted in elections in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and most recently the 2024 presidential election, according to an affidavit reported by Fox News.
“On each occasion, SACKO falsely represented that he was a U.S. citizen,” said the affidavit by FBI Special Agent Mickel McGann.
ICE ARRESTS CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIEN WHO VOTED IN SEVEN ELECTIONS.
Mahady Sacko, a criminal illegal alien from Mauritania, began ILLEGALLY voting in American elections in 2008. He entered the U.S. near Miami and an immigration judge ordered him removed — a decision upheld over two… pic.twitter.com/kaHo3qIu7d
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 10, 2026
In 2016 and 2020, Sacko voted in both the primary and general elections, totaling seven times he voted illegally. All votes were made in person except the 2020 primary, when he voted by mail, the affidavit 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,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens. Congress must pass the SAVE America Act immediately to secure our elections.”
Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania said in a post on X that this “should never happen. Only U.S. citizens should decide U.S. elections.”
“This is precisely why I support [Sen. Mike Lee’s] SAVE America Act. We must secure our elections,” he added.
Illegal immigrant Mahady Sacko allegedly voted in 5 elections in PA. That should never happen. Only U.S. citizens should decide U.S. elections.
This is precisely why I support @SenMikeLee's SAVE America Act. We must secure our elections.
I commend U.S. Attorney David Metcalf…
— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) March 6, 2026
Sacko’s arrest came following an investigation by the FBI and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations.
The FBI and our partners arrested an individual illegally in the U.S., charged with voting in the last 5 presidential elections – each time falsely claiming he was a U.S. citizen to vote pic.twitter.com/Rkswd7BGMm
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 7, 2026
According to the DHS, Sacko illegally entered the U.S. near Miami and an immigration judge’s order of removal was upheld in November 2002.
