Undocumented immigrants are not explicitly barred from winning or claiming lottery prizes in California, although a lack of tax documentation can result in higher federal taxes, and publicly claiming a major prize may draw additional scrutiny. She believed her uncle, who had documentation, would collect the prize on her behalf before turning over the proceeds. Undocumented immigrants aren’t explicitly barred from winning or claiming lottery prizes in California, or elsewhere in the United States, and California Lottery rules do not require claimants to be U.S. citizens or California residents. In 1985, shortly after the California Lottery began operating, Jose Caballero, a 24-year-old Mexican furniture deliveryman in San Jose, won $2 million. Caballero ultimately accepted voluntary departure rather than contesting deportation proceedings and returned to Mexico, but – importantly – he kept his lottery winnings and continued receiving his annual payments.