New York woman accused of voting illegally says she recently learned she was not a citizen

An upstate New York woman who says she recently learned she was not born in the United States has been charged with illegal voting, one of the latest arrests touted by the Trump administration as it chases away non-citizen voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Marva Cook was adopted as a child and always assumed she was a U.S. citizen, she told Homeland Security investigators earlier this month, according to the criminal complaint.

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But while searching for her biological mother, the 66-year-old Syracuse resident, who played on the Syracuse University women’s basketball team decades ago, said she discovered she had a German birth certificate.

Federal prosecutors say Cook has had a green card for several years now, but still voted in the last election despite not having citizenship.

She faces a single federal charge of alien voting stemming from her vote in the 2022 midterms.

The misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, if convicted. Cook also faces deportation, under federal law.

Cook says she has faith in God and community support

Reached by phone Friday, Cook declined to discuss the criminal case, her voting record or her past efforts to become a citizen.

But she said she was “not thrilled” about her court appearance Wednesday because she was shackled after voluntarily turning herself in hours earlier.

“It was a tough time,” Cook said. “I look for kindness, service and doing for others as I want to be treated.”

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She also said she appreciated the outpouring of support from community members, a number of whom accompanied her to court Wednesday.

“Prayers and support are a big part of how I’m going to get through this,” Cook said. “I have deep faith that God will help me get through this.”

Cook’s attorney, Paul Tuck, also declined to discuss details of the criminal case Friday, saying only that there are no upcoming hearings or filing deadlines. There are no pending immigration proceedings, he added, but Cook has an immigration lawyer in case something changes.

Spokespeople for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Cook is latest arrest in Trump’s nationwide crackdown on non-citizen voting

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, whose upstate New York office is prosecuting the case, said Cook’s arrest showed that “voter fraud is rampant” in the state.

Other federal agencies amplified this statement on social media, even though the administration’s own investigations have demonstrated that such cases are incredibly rare and do not change the outcome of the election.

“We cannot and will not allow the votes of American citizens to be overturned by non-citizens voting illegally in our elections,” Homeland Security wrote in an article on X that included Sarcone’s statement.

In California, federal authorities on Monday charged more than two dozen legal permanent residents with illegally voting or registering to vote. A few weeks earlier, 10 people were charged in Minnesota for voting illegally in the last three elections.

Supporters say Cook is a valuable member of the community

Cook’s supporters, meanwhile, described her as a vital part of the local community where she had lived most of her life and played college basketball.

The Syracuse University athletic department confirmed that Cook was the team’s leading scorer in the 1979-80 season, averaging 15 points per game. She also holds the school record for most steals in a single season.

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Fred Daley, pastor of All Saints Church, said Cook is an active member of the parish who has for years been the church’s go-to Easter Bunny, decked out in full costume during spring break.

“If the government wanted to make its case, it chose the wrong person,” he said. “She is the perfect example of an extraordinary person. She is well respected throughout the community.”

Dale Avers, a parishioner who has known Cook for nearly 20 years, described her as a “service person” who “never sought attention.” She said Cook supports low-income families and youth as director of the YMCA’s community school program.

“I’m totally in shock that they’re putting so much effort into this,” Avers said. “They got the story. There was no intent. There was no malice. There was no deception.”