Indian national arrested in US over false citizenship claim to vote in 2024 election

The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) had arrested Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, an Indian national, for allegedly falsely claiming American citizenship to vote in the 2024 general election.

A federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota returned a two-count indictment on September 10: providing false information in voting and making a false claim of citizenship to register to vote or vote. According to the indictment, Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate on or about November 5, 2024, as required under Minnesota law, swearing or affirming that he was a US citizen; prosecutors allege he was not a citizen and knowingly made the false declaration to cast a ballot.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said: “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. Under President Trump’s leadership, this administration will never allow the votes of American citizens to be cancelled out by non-citizens illegally voting in our elections.”

“Voting is reserved for US citizens, and falsely claiming citizenship to cast a ballot is a serious crime,” said HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, adding that the agency would keep working with law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of election systems.

Each count carries up to five years in prison, so Chaudhari faces a maximum of 10 years if convicted on both. The case continues a broader Trump administration crackdown on alleged noncitizen voting.

Sources: The Indian Express, Times of India, Firstpost