An Indian national has been taken into custody in the United States for lying about his American citizenship to cast a vote in the 2024 general election in the state of Minnesota, the US Department of Homeland Security said.
Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari was taken into custody by officials with the Homeland Security Investigations division of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for intentionally providing false information regarding his citizenship to vote, The Indian Express reported.
As stated in the indictment, Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate on Nov. 5, 2024, claiming he was a US citizen. Minnesota law mandates that voters make that certification when they sign a certificate.
He was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota on Sept. 10 on two charges: providing false information to vote and false claim of citizenship to register to vote or to vote, according to the US Justice Department.
Chaudhari could face up to five years in prison on each charge and a maximum of 10 years.
“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”, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
Homeland Security Investigations is conducting the case with assistance from the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office.
These are allegations; Chaudhari is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty in a court of law.
