A federal grand jury in Minnesota has indicted 10 lawful permanent residents for allegedly voting illegally or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register in state elections spanning 2022, 2024, and the August 2026 primary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on September 30, 2026. The charges were returned in 10 separate cases and announced by Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen during a press conference in Minnesota.
Key developments:
- The defendants, originally from Liberia, Lithuania, Ghana, Germany, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, and South Africa, face charges including nine counts of illegal voting by noncitizens and nine counts of falsely claiming citizenship to register.
- Voting by a noncitizen is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, while false citizenship claims to vote are felonies carrying up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
- The indictments follow a broader DOJ effort under the Trump administration, with more than 90 voter-fraud cases filed since 2025, including 50 in the past five weeks, according to Blanche.
Charges and defendants:
The 10 defendants—listed by name, age, and country of origin—are accused of voting or attempting to vote in multiple elections. Bhator Konah Bryant (Liberia) is the only defendant charged solely with falsely claiming citizenship in 2024 to register. The others face both charges of illegal voting and false citizenship claims. The alleged conduct includes voting in the 2022 and 2024 general elections and the August 2026 primary.
Official statements and legal context:
Attorney General Blanche emphasized the charges as part of a broader effort to restore public trust in elections, stating: “The most basic way the Department of Justice can accomplish this restoration of trust is by working to make sure the only people voting in an election in the United States are American citizens who are eligible to vote.”
U.S. Attorney Rosen echoed this sentiment, asserting: “Voting in American elections is a privilege of American citizenship. That should not be a partisan concept.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin added: “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.”
Legal process and next steps:
An indictment is an accusation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The cases were returned by a federal grand jury on September 24, 2026, and announced on September 30. The defendants’ next court appearances have not been publicly disclosed.
Broader context and political implications:
The DOJ’s announcement comes amid ongoing debates over election integrity, with the Trump administration framing illegal voting as a systemic threat requiring aggressive enforcement. Blanche contrasted the 90+ cases under Trump with 13 cases during President Biden’s presidency, a claim that has drawn scrutiny from some observers.
Critics have questioned whether isolated cases of voter fraud—such as the 10 indictments spanning four years—justify the administration’s emphasis on enforcement. Supporters argue that even isolated instances undermine democratic legitimacy and must be addressed to maintain public confidence.
The indictments also raise questions about the effectiveness of voter registration verification processes, particularly for permanent residents who may be unaware of eligibility restrictions. Election officials in Minnesota have not publicly commented on the specific cases or systemic safeguards in place.
Geographic and demographic details:
The defendants represent a diverse range of countries, reflecting Minnesota’s immigrant communities. Their alleged actions span multiple election cycles, suggesting a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents. The cases were handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, with no indication of coordination with state or local election authorities.
Potential penalties and broader enforcement trends:
Beyond criminal penalties, noncitizens convicted of voting illegally may face deportation proceedings, according to Mullin’s remarks. The DOJ has signaled that these cases are part of a long-term strategy to deter future violations, with hundreds of ongoing investigations nationwide.
The charges also highlight the challenges of enforcing election laws in states with large immigrant populations, where misinformation or confusion about eligibility may contribute to violations. Advocacy groups have long argued for clearer voter education initiatives to prevent unintentional infractions.