CLEARWATER, KANSAS — Joe Ceballos, a longtime Republican, military veteran, and small-town mayor, is now at the center of a politically explosive case involving felony voter fraud and possible deportation — actions pursued by the very administration and attorney general he repeatedly voted for.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R) announced a six-count felony indictment one day after Ceballos was reelected mayor of Clearwater, a community of roughly 2,650 residents. Kobach, a nationally known hard-line immigration and voter-fraud crusader, has previously championed strict ID laws, citizenship checks, and aggressive prosecution of alleged non-citizen voting.
Felony Charges Carry Up to 68 Months in Prison
According to the announcement, Ceballos is charged with:
- 3 counts of voting without being qualified
- 3 counts of election perjury
Kobach said the offenses carry a maximum penalty of 68 months in prison and up to $200,000 in fines, marking one of the most severe non-citizen voting cases in recent Kansas history.
The charges stem from allegations that Ceballos, a Mexican-born immigrant who moved to the U.S. at age four, voted in U.S. elections continuously since 1991 without lawful eligibility.
DHS Threatens Deportation: “He Hasn’t Seen Mexico Since He Was Four”
In a highly controversial move, the Department of Homeland Security has also threatened to initiate deportation proceedings, potentially removing Ceballos to a country he does not know.
“I haven’t seen Mexico since I was four,” Ceballos told The Wichita Eagle.
“I don’t speak Spanish anymore. If I get deported, it would wreck my life.”
Immigration attorneys say the case underscores a broader shift toward the aggressive deportation of long-term immigrants, even those with deep community ties and decades in the U.S.
He Voted for Kobach and Trump — But Didn’t Know He Was Ineligible
A recent profile by journalist Roy Wenzl revealed that Ceballos, now 54, did not know that his immigration status barred him from voting — a misunderstanding that lasted more than three decades.
He also told the newspaper that he “probably” voted for Kobach and former President Donald Trump multiple times, explaining that he instinctively selected candidates with an “R” next to their name.
His case has sparked national debate because Kobach previously claimed widespread illegal voting among immigrants — allegations often criticized for lack of evidence. Ceballos is now one of the first individuals Kobach has charged under that narrative, prompting critics to accuse the attorney general of political opportunism.
A Deepening Political Flashpoint in the Immigration Debate
Legal experts note several key issues emerging from the case:
- Noncitizen voting is extremely rare, according to repeated federal and state-level studies.
- The prosecution of a small-town Republican mayor undercuts claims that illegal voting is politically one-sided.
- Deportation of a 50-year resident who grew up entirely in the U.S. raises human-rights and due-process concerns.
Civil rights groups argue that the case represents a “weaponization of immigration law” and a warning of what expanded deportation programs could look like under current and future administrations.
Community Shock as Mayor Awaits Trial
Clearwater residents expressed surprise, noting Ceballos’ reputation as a “quiet, churchgoing neighbor” and longtime city volunteer. Many said they never questioned his citizenship status but acknowledged that the political climate around immigration has shifted dramatically.
Ceballos told The Eagle he is “terrified” of what comes next.
