Newark, NJ — Four noncitizens face federal charges after allegedly casting ballots in multiple U.S. election cycles and then making false statements during the citizenship process, according to announcements Friday from the Department of Justice and the FBI’s Newark field office. Officials say the individuals voted in the 2020 presidential election, the 2022 midterms, and the 2024 presidential cycle, despite not being eligible.
The charges center on both illegal voting and misrepresentations made on naturalization applications, where applicants must attest to whether they have ever voted in a federal election. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case reflects a broader push to enforce election laws and safeguard federal processes.
Charges span multiple election cycles
The FBI’s Newark office led the investigation, which resulted in four individuals being charged. Authorities have not released the names of the defendants in the initial public statements, but confirmed all are noncitizens.
According to the Department of Justice, the individuals allegedly registered to vote, cast ballots in federal elections over a span of years, and later falsely claimed on immigration forms that they had not done so. Those statements are a key part of the naturalization process and carry potential criminal penalties if proven false.
The case brings together two areas of federal enforcement: election integrity and immigration compliance. Officials emphasized that both the act of voting while ineligible and lying during the citizenship process can trigger separate charges.
“This administration will not tolerate aliens who attempt to vote in our elections when they know they are not eligible,” Blanche said in a statement. “This Justice Department will use every authority to protect the integrity of U.S. elections, including by prosecuting any noncitizens who lie about their legal status in an attempt to vote.”
Key Points
• Four noncitizens charged with voting in 2020, 2022, and 2024 federal elections
• Case investigated by FBI Newark; includes false statements on citizenship applications
• DOJ says prosecutions will target both illegal voting and immigration fraud
Why the case matters
Federal law restricts voting in federal elections to U.S. citizens. During the naturalization process, applicants must disclose any prior voting activity, and falsely denying such actions can lead to criminal charges and immigration consequences.
Officials framed the case as part of a broader enforcement effort rather than an isolated incident. While the number of defendants is small, the allegations span three major election cycles, which prosecutors say underscores the seriousness of the conduct.
The FBI credited coordination between investigators and federal prosecutors for building the case. FBI Director Kash Patel, in a public statement, said the charges reflect ongoing work to identify and pursue violations tied to federal elections and immigration processes.
“Four individuals have been charged with illegally voting in federal elections and making false statements applying for U.S. citizenship,” Patel said, noting the involvement of the FBI Newark office and federal partners.
What happens next
The defendants will face federal court proceedings where prosecutors must prove both the alleged illegal voting and the false statements made during citizenship applications. Convictions could carry penalties including fines, imprisonment, and potential immigration consequences.
The Justice Department has not yet detailed whether additional individuals could be charged as part of the same investigation, though officials signaled that further updates may follow.
The case arrives amid continued national focus on election procedures and eligibility requirements. Federal officials reiterated that enforcement actions are guided by existing statutes governing voting eligibility and immigration disclosures.
At this stage, the charges represent allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Authorities have not released specific timelines for court appearances or additional filings.
The investigation remains active, and officials say more information could be released as the case progresses.