Immigration officers arrest Indian national for alleged 2024 election voting

Homeland Security Investigations arrested Indian national Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari on Friday, October 16, 2026, accusing him of illegally casting a ballot in the 2024 presidential election in Minnesota.

The arrest is presented as part of an intensified federal effort to safeguard election integrity by targeting non‑citizen voting. Officials say the case highlights ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of the electoral system to illegal participation.

Chaudhari is charged with one count of false information in voting and one count of falsely claiming citizenship to register to vote, offenses that carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

“Voting is reserved for U.S. citizens, and falsely claiming citizenship to cast a ballot is a serious crime,” HSI St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard said.

The seizure follows a broader crackdown by the Trump administration, including a recent Department of Justice lawsuit against California alleging "state‑facilitated voter fraud" after identifying roughly 20,000 likely non‑citizens on state voter rolls.

“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,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.

Minnesota, a Democratic‑leaning state, has attracted federal attention after reports of large‑scale public fraud linked to its Somali expatriate community. Chaudhari’s alleged illegal vote adds a new dimension to the scrutiny of voting practices in the state.

The case will proceed through the federal court system, where Chaudhari could face both criminal sentencing and potential deportation. HSI officials say the investigation continues as part of an ongoing effort to deter non‑citizen participation in U.S. elections.