Joe Ceballos, the former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday after admitting to voting illegally as a noncitizen. According to his attorney, Jess Hoeme, Ceballos now fears he could be deported.
Key Takeaways
Former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, Joe Ceballos was detained by ICE after admitting to voting illegally as a noncitizen. He had pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in April but now faces potential deportation.
- Former Kansas mayor Joe Ceballos detained by ICE for illegal voting
- Ceballos admitted to voting despite being a legal permanent resident, not a U.S. citizen
- He pleaded guilty to disorderly election conduct and resigned as mayor of Coldwater
- Supporters rallied outside the ICE office in Wichita, Kansas
Ceballos, who is a legal permanent resident but not a U.S. citizen, resigned as mayor of Coldwater in December while facing state charges over voting as a noncitizen. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in April and had hoped that the plea deal would allow him to continue living in his community.
Supporters rallied outside the ICE office in Wichita, Kansas, holding signs that read 'We Support Mayor Joe' and 'ICE Out'. Ceballos told reporters that he was nervous about what would happen next. "Thinking what could happen — it’s just kind of crazy," he said.
The case has drawn attention from the Trump administration, which has been pushing for stricter immigration laws and voter registration requirements. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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