Four noncitizen residents of New Jersey have been charged in separate criminal complaints for allegedly voting in federal elections, which is illegal, and then lying about it when applying for U.S. citizenship.
The individuals were “non-citizens when they registered to vote in New Jersey,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a May 1 statement.
“On their respective voter registration forms, however, they falsely certified and attested that they were United States citizens,” the DOJ said. “In order to register, and to vote, in federal elections, a person must be a United States citizen.”
Idan Choresh, 43, allegedly cast votes in the 2022 General Election, which included electing members of the House. Jacenth Beadle Exum, 70, and Abhinandan Vig, 33, allegedly voted in the 2020 General Election, while the fourth, David Neewilly, 73, allegedly voted in both the 2020 and 2024 general elections, each of which included the presidential election.
Neewilly is a citizen of Liberia and entered the United States in about July 1998 as a refugee. Choresh, born in Israel, came to the United States under a B-2 tourist visa in September 2015, according to the Justice Department.
Beadle Exum, from Jamaica, entered the United States with a B-2 tourist visa in July 2000. Vig, born in India, was in the United States under the F-43 family visa, entering the country in about June 2012.
All four were living in the United States with lawful permanent resident status, the DOJ stated.
After allegedly voting illegally, the four individuals applied to become U.S. citizens by submitting an N-400, the form used to seek naturalization.
Form N-400 requires applicants to swear under penalty of perjury that the information they provided in the application is complete and true. However, the individuals are alleged to have falsely claimed to have never registered to vote or voted in federal elections.
The noncitizens were charged with various crimes, including voting by an alien in a federal election, false statements in relation to naturalization, and procurement of citizenship or naturalization unlawfully. The charges carry maximum penalties of one to 10 years of imprisonment.
“This administration will not tolerate aliens who attempt to vote in our elections when they know they are not eligible,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
“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.”
The Epoch Times reached out to Neewilly’s legal representative but did not receive a response. The Epoch Times was unable to contact representatives of the other three defendants.
Voting Bill
Lawmakers are pushing ahead with a bill designed to shore up election integrity.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the passage of the bill in a Feb. 11 statement, calling it a “dangerous assault on democracy.”
Xavier Persad, senior policy counsel for ACLU’s National Political Advocacy Department, called the SAVE America Act a “thinly veiled attempt” to interfere with U.S. elections.
“Laws like this have historically resulted in many eligible citizens being delayed or denied access to the ballot due to paperwork issues, database mismatches, or bureaucratic error,” Persad said.
Roy justified the need for the bill in a Feb. 11 statement, calling it a “critical step” to restoring election integrity by making sure that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections.
“Over eighty percent of Americans—across party lines and across racial groups—support voter ID because it’s simple, reasonable, and common sense,” Roy said.
“I now call on the Senate to bring back the talking filibuster and force Democrats to explain to the American people why they oppose a basic election safeguard that enjoys broad bipartisan support.”
