Immigration charges announced by the Justice Department on October 5, 2026, involve 16 noncitizens accused of illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration or related false statements in four states.
The cases cover alleged conduct in federal elections, state election activity tied to citizenship certifications and statements made during naturalization proceedings.
They also raise immigration questions for people whose voting or registration records may later be reviewed.
Most of the defendants are identified by DOJ as lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders.
For immigration purposes, that status does not give a person the right to vote in federal elections.
A lawful permanent resident may live and work in the United States, but federal law generally bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
That rule can have immigration significance in addition to potential criminal consequences.
The allegations concern cases in Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The immigration implications may differ depending on the charge, the evidence and each person’s legal history.
Table of Contents
What the Justice Department announced
DOJ said the 16 cases include allegations of voting as a noncitizen, claiming U.S. citizenship to register or vote and making false statements on a naturalization application.
Those allegations may be examined in both criminal proceedings and immigration matters.
The announcement does not establish that any defendant committed a crime.
Complaints, indictments and informations are charging documents, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
That presumption applies regardless of any possible immigration consequences.
The department’s October 5 announcement followed a September 30 release detailing the separate Minnesota indictments involving 10 defendants.
Cases filed in Florida, Louisiana and Wisconsin
In the Middle District of Florida, Italian national Andrea Catanese, 60, was indicted on allegations involving voting by a noncitizen, an attempt to procure naturalization unlawfully and a false statement related to naturalization.
The allegations also involve an immigration benefit application.
According to DOJ, Catanese allegedly voted in the 2024 general election and later stated on a naturalization application that he had never voted in a federal election.
Prosecutors also allege that he repeated that statement to an immigration official reviewing his application.
Bahamian national Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, was charged by information with allegedly voting in the 2024 federal general election while knowing he was not a U.S. citizen.
In Louisiana, Cuban national Pedro Pablo Ruiz, 68, Mexican national Zianya Yllaly Zamorano, 34, and Nicaraguan national Dudley Francisco Zeledon, 56, were charged in cases involving alleged illegal voting.
DOJ alleges that Ruiz and Zamorano voted in the 2024 general election.
The department alleges that Zeledon voted in both the 2024 primary and general elections.
In the Eastern District of Wisconsin, North Macedonian national Sara Luma, 30, is accused of registering to vote and voting on November 5, 2024.
The complaint alleges that Luma signed a Wisconsin voter registration application falsely certifying that she was a U.S. citizen.
DOJ also said Luma admitted to registering and voting during an interview with a federal law enforcement agent, although the allegations will still have to be tested in court.
Minnesota cases account for 10 defendants
The largest group of cases involves 10 lawful permanent residents charged separately in the District of Minnesota.
Their cases could also create immigration concerns if the allegations affect future applications or existing status.
DOJ alleges that the Minnesota defendants voted as noncitizens, falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to vote or engaged in both types of conduct.
The alleged conduct includes voting in the November 2022 general election, the November 2024 general election and the August 2026 primary election.
The defendants include Liberian national Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, who is accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship when registering to vote on October 18, 2024.
Lithuanian national Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, is accused of voting illegally in Minnesota on November 8, 2022.
Ghanaian national Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, is accused of voting as a noncitizen on August 11, 2026, and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship in connection with voting on October 23, 2024, and August 11, 2026.
Liberian national Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, is accused of voting illegally and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on November 5, 2024.
German national Paul Kras, 78, is accused of voting as a noncitizen on November 5, 2024.
Bosnian national Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, Brazilian national Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, Liberian national Chris Adam Pettiquoi, 43, Canadian national Christian Liam Schenk, 47, and South African national Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, are each accused of conduct involving illegal voting and false citizenship claims tied to the November 5, 2024, election.
The September 30 DOJ release said the Minnesota defendants had made initial appearances in federal court.
Why the allegations matter for immigration cases
Illegal voting can create consequences beyond the criminal case for a noncitizen’s immigration status.
The effect depends on the person’s record and the applicable immigration law.
USCIS policy treats unlawful voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship as serious issues in good-moral-character and naturalization decisions.
A false claim of citizenship may also create separate immigration problems depending on the facts, including the wording used, the purpose of the claim and whether a statutory exception applies.
For a lawful permanent resident seeking naturalization, an election-related allegation may affect the application, trigger additional review or result in a denial if the legal requirements are not met.
Immigration officers may evaluate the underlying record and the person’s explanation.
The Florida case involving Catanese illustrates how alleged voting conduct can become connected to statements made during the naturalization process.
Noncitizens who believe they may have registered or voted improperly should obtain advice from a qualified immigration attorney and, when appropriate, a criminal defense attorney before responding to investigators or submitting immigration forms.
They should not assume that a local or state voter registration record is harmless simply because no ballot was ultimately counted.
That record may still matter in an immigration review.
They also should not guess on immigration forms about prior voting, registration or citizenship-related statements.
Federal penalties identified in the Minnesota cases
DOJ’s September 30 announcement said that a false claim of citizenship made to vote may violate 18 U.S.C.
Section 1015(f).
The department stated that the offense carries a maximum prison term of five years, up to three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000.
DOJ also said that voting by a noncitizen under 18 U.S.C.
Section 611 is a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum prison term of one year, up to one year of supervised release and a maximum fine of $100,000.
Potential penalties depend on the specific charge, the facts alleged and the outcome of the court proceedings.
Separate immigration consequences, if any, would depend on the applicable law and individual circumstances.
Some defendants were charged by indictment, while others were charged by criminal complaint or information.
Those charging documents reflect different stages and procedures in federal criminal cases, but none is a final determination of guilt.
What happens next
Federal prosecutors must prove the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt if the cases proceed to trial.
Defendants may challenge the allegations, negotiate resolutions or pursue other lawful defenses through their attorneys.
The cases may also affect pending or future naturalization applications, although the immigration consequences will depend on each person’s record and the applicable law.
For voters and noncitizens, the practical rule is straightforward: only eligible U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections, and voter registration forms must be completed truthfully.
Individuals who are uncertain about eligibility should consult their state election authority before registering or voting.
People with an immigration application, prior registration record or possible citizenship-related misstatement should seek individualized legal advice rather than relying on general information.
Key details of the DOJ announcement
| Location | Defendants charged | Allegations described by DOJ |
|---|---|---|
| Middle District of Florida | 2 | Alleged illegal voting and false naturalization statements |
| Eastern District of Louisiana | 3 | Alleged illegal voting in 2024 elections |
| Eastern District of Wisconsin | 1 | Alleged noncitizen voting and false citizenship certification |
| District of Minnesota | 10 | Alleged illegal voting and false claims of U.S. citizenship |
The Justice Department said the cases resulted from investigations involving federal law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations in the Minnesota matters.
The October 5 announcement is part of a broader series of recent DOJ election-related cases involving allegations against noncitizens and other individuals.
Those cases should be evaluated individually because the charges, evidence and procedural posture differ from one defendant to another.
The immigration impact, if any, must likewise be assessed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lawful permanent resident vote in a federal election?
Generally, no. Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and lawful permanent residents are not U.S. citizens.
Does a DOJ charge mean the defendant is guilty?
No. A complaint, indictment or information contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Can alleged illegal voting affect naturalization?
It can. USCIS reviews unlawful voting, false citizenship claims and related conduct when evaluating naturalization eligibility and good moral character.
What should someone do if they are unsure about past voter registration or voting?
They should seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney and, if criminal exposure is possible, a criminal defense attorney before making statements to investigators or filing immigration forms.
Fact-Checked: The October 5, 2026 DOJ announcement was cross-checked against DOJ’s September 30, 2026 Minnesota indictment release and USCIS guidance on unlawful voting and false citizenship claims.
Disclaimer: This article reports allegations from federal charging documents and provides general information, not legal advice.
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