Citizenship fraud charges are at the center of a new Justice Department announcement involving 16 noncitizens accused of illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration or false statements connected to naturalization.
The cases were announced Monday, October 5, 2026, and involve lawful permanent residents and other noncitizens in Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The department said the allegations include voting in federal elections, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register or vote, and making false statements on citizenship applications.
The announcement does not represent final convictions in every case.
The Justice Department emphasized that complaints, indictments and informations contain accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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What the Justice Department announced
The federal cases involve different alleged conduct, ranging from voting by a noncitizen to allegedly concealing prior voting activity during the naturalization process.
In the Middle District of Florida, Italian national Andrea Catanese, 60, a lawful permanent resident, was charged with voting by an alien, attempting to procure naturalization unlawfully and making a false statement related to naturalization.
Prosecutors allege that Catanese voted in the 2024 general election, stated on an Application for Naturalization that he had never voted in a federal election, and repeated that statement to an immigration official reviewing his application.
Bahamian national Terrance Patrick Evans, 37, another lawful permanent resident, was charged with voting by an alien after allegedly voting in the 2024 federal general election while knowing he was not a U.S. citizen.
In the Eastern District of Louisiana, Cuban national Pedro Pablo Ruiz, 68, Mexican national Zianya Yllaly Zamorano, 34, and Nicaraguan national Dudley Francisco Zeledon, 56, were charged in separate cases involving alleged illegal voting in federal elections.
The Justice Department said Ruiz and Zamorano allegedly voted in the 2024 general election, while Zeledon allegedly voted in both the 2024 primary and general elections.
In the Eastern District of Wisconsin, North Macedonian national Sara Luma, 30, was charged with unlawfully voting as a noncitizen.
The complaint against Luma alleges that she registered to vote on Election Day, signed a Wisconsin voter registration application falsely certifying that she was a U.S. citizen, and later admitted to registering and voting on November 5, 2024.
Minnesota cases include false citizenship claims
The largest group of cases came from the District of Minnesota, where 10 noncitizens were charged in election-related matters.
Liberian national Bhator Konah Bryant, 61, a lawful permanent resident, was charged with allegedly making a false claim of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote on October 18, 2024.
Lithuanian national Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, 59, was charged with allegedly voting illegally in Minnesota on November 8, 2022.
Ghanaian national Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, 63, was charged with two alleged false claims of citizenship and one alleged count of voting by an alien.
The Justice Department said Edzie allegedly voted illegally on August 11 and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship to vote on October 23, 2024, and August 11, 2026.
Liberian national Alan Barbu Kargbo, 48, was charged with allegedly making a false claim of citizenship and voting by an alien in connection with the November 5, 2024, election.
German national Paul Kras, 78, was charged with allegedly voting by an alien on November 5, 2024.
Bosnian national Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, 58, Brazilian national Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, 62, and Liberian national Chris Adam Pettiquoi, 43, were each charged with alleged false claims of citizenship and voting by an alien.
The Justice Department said Canadian national Christian Liam Schenk, 47, and South African national Hester Sophia Weihmann, 69, also faced charges involving alleged false claims of citizenship and illegal voting.
Why citizenship matters in naturalization cases
Citizenship is directly relevant to the cases because several defendants are accused of claiming to be citizens when registering or voting, while another defendant allegedly made a false statement during the naturalization process.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identifies naturalization as the process through which an eligible person becomes a U.S. citizen.
The agency’s naturalization process generally includes an application, background checks, an interview, English and civics testing when applicable, and the Oath of Allegiance.
USCIS states that an applicant does not become a U.S. citizen until taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
The allegations announced by the Justice Department illustrate why information about voting history and citizenship claims can become significant during a naturalization review.
Applicants for naturalization should provide complete and accurate information and should obtain qualified legal advice if they are uncertain about prior voting activity or statements made on government forms.
Charges do not decide immigration status or guilt
A federal charge is an allegation rather than a final determination that a person committed a crime.
The cases may proceed through indictments, informations, criminal complaints, court hearings, plea negotiations or trials, depending on the individual matter.
The Justice Department’s announcement also does not state that every defendant has lost lawful permanent resident status or been ordered removed from the United States.
Potential immigration consequences can depend on the specific charge, the evidence, the outcome of the criminal case and the person’s individual immigration history.
People facing criminal or immigration proceedings should consult a licensed attorney who can review the allegations and applicable law.
Official guidance for citizenship applicants
USCIS directs citizenship applicants to attend scheduled appointments, bring required identity and immigration documents, and answer questions about their applications and backgrounds during the naturalization interview.
The agency also provides official study materials for the English and civics portions of the naturalization process.
Applicants should rely on current USCIS instructions rather than unofficial checklists because filing requirements, forms and agency procedures can change.
The October 5 announcement puts citizenship-related misrepresentations and noncitizen voting allegations back in the national spotlight while the cases move through the federal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Justice Department announce on October 5, 2026?
The Justice Department announced charges involving 16 noncitizens in cases alleging illegal voting, fraudulent voter registration, false claims of U.S. citizenship and false statements connected to naturalization.
Do the charges mean the defendants have been convicted?
No. The Justice Department said the complaints, indictments and informations contain accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Can voting allegations affect a naturalization application?
They can be relevant to a naturalization review, particularly when an applicant is accused of making a false statement about voting or citizenship. The effect depends on the individual facts and legal outcome.
When does a person become a U.S. citizen through naturalization?
USCIS states that an approved applicant becomes a U.S. citizen after taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony.
Fact-Checked: Facts were checked against the U.S. Department of Justice announcement dated October 5, 2026, and official USCIS naturalization guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal advice.
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