Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari/Image: US Department of Homeland Security
An Indian national has been charged in the United States for falsely claiming to be an American citizen to vote in the 2024 general election in Minnesota, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari was indicted by a federal grand jury in Minnesota on September 10 on two counts linked to the alleged offence. The indictment accuses him of knowingly claiming US citizenship to cast a ballot.According to the indictment, Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate on November 5, 2024, as required under Minnesota law to vote in the general election. The document required him to swear or affirm that he was a US citizen.
Prosecutors allege that he was not a citizen and knowingly made the false declaration to vote.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Chaudhari, DHS said.The charges include providing false information in voting and making a false claim of citizenship to register to vote or cast a ballot. If convicted, Chaudhari faces a maximum prison sentence of five years on each count.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration would pursue cases involving alleged unlawful voting by noncitizens.“Voting is reserved for US citizens, and falsely claiming citizenship to cast a ballot is a serious crime,” HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said. He added that the agency would continue working with law enforcement partners to investigate such cases and protect election systems.