Indian National Charged in U.S. Over False Citizenship Claim to Vote in 2024 Election

A federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota indicted Indian national Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari on two counts over an alleged false citizenship claim made to vote in the November 5, 2024, election. The indictment was returned on September 10, 2026.

Homeland Security Investigations arrested Chaudhari. The Department of Homeland Security announced the arrest on October 16, 2026.

Prosecutors say he signed Minnesota’s voter-signature certificate and affirmed that he was a U.S. citizen, though he was not. The charges allege he knowingly misrepresented his status to vote.

Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge of HSI St. Paul, said the agency investigates such cases with law enforcement partners.

“Voting is reserved for U.S. citizens, and falsely claiming citizenship to cast a ballot is a serious crime.”

Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, issued a wider warning about noncitizens voting. He said those who do so would face arrest, criminal charges and possible deportation.

“Our message to aliens who vote in American elections is clear: we will find you, arrest you, and you will face the consequences, including criminal charges and deportation.”

The indictment ties two counts to one voter certificate

The grand jury charged Chaudhari with providing false information in voting and making a false claim of U.S. citizenship to register or cast a ballot. Both counts stem from the alleged declaration on the Minnesota certificate.

Each count carries a maximum of five years in prison. A conviction on both could expose him to a combined maximum of 10 years, but that is not an automatic sentence.

A federal judge would determine any penalty under sentencing guidelines and statutory factors. The indictment is an accusation, and Chaudhari is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges in court.

Pickard said HSI would continue working with partner agencies on election-related investigations. He described the work as part of the agency’s responsibility to protect election systems.

“HSI has the experience and authority to investigate these cases, and we take that responsibility seriously. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of our election systems.”

Mullin also tied the administration’s position to President Donald Trump, saying only American citizens should choose U.S. leaders. The allegation in this case remains focused on one person and one Minnesota election.

The indictment is separate from a wider voting-law debate

Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections and prohibits falsely claiming citizenship for that purpose. The charges against Chaudhari concern that alleged conduct; they do not establish broader claims about noncitizen voting.

The Trump administration has pressed a campaign against alleged noncitizen voting and other claimed election irregularities. It has backed the proposed SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and photographic identification to vote in federal elections. The bill’s legislative effort has largely stalled.

President Donald Trump and allies have cited an estimate of approximately 278,000 noncitizens registered to vote in federal elections. That is an administration claim, not a finding established by Chaudhari’s indictment.

Legal experts have warned that stringent proof-of-citizenship rules could block eligible citizens from voting, particularly minority voters. That policy debate reaches beyond the facts alleged in this prosecution.

Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General and head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, framed voting rights as a protection owed to lawful voters.

“The right to vote is a sacred privilege of American citizenship, and every lawful voter deserves an election system in which that right is protected.”