Trump In Action Ahead Of Midterm Polls, Indian Arrested Over Illegal Voting; Can Green Card Holders Cast Votes?

US Green Card News: Amid intensified crackdown against illegal immigrants, the Federal prosecutors in Texas have charged seven non-US citizens with allegedly taking part in, attempting to take part in, or making false claims about US citizenship in federal elections. The cases involve six lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and one Mexican national who was already under a US removal order.

What's The Matter

The US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas said six people were indicted on September 10, while a seventh person was charged through a criminal complaint on September 11. Prosecutors said all seven had been arrested by Tuesday. According to the DOJ, the allegations involve voting in the 2018 or 2024 elections, trying to vote using provisional ballots, or making false statements about citizenship on government forms.

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Indian Citizen Among Those Charged

One of the arrested individuals is Khalwinder Singh Bhengura, 69, an Indian citizen and lawful permanent resident of the US. Prosecutors allege that Bhengura falsely claimed to be a US citizen when registering to vote. They added that he made a similar claim on a Texas driver's license application and subsequently voted in the 2024 election. Officials allege that Bhengura misrepresented his citizenship status on official documents.

Can Green Card Holders Cast Votes?

The individuals will now go through the US federal criminal justice system. They will have the opportunity to contest the charges. The action comes as the Trump administration increases its focus on alleged noncitizen voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections in November. Notably, under federal law, permanent resident holders are not allowed to vote in US federal or state elections.

The administration says stronger enforcement is necessary to protect election integrity. However, voting-rights groups and election experts have argued that documented cases of noncitizen voting are relatively uncommon. A Reuters review of the Heritage Foundation's election-fraud database found 24 recorded instances of noncitizen voting between 2003 and 2023.

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