Federal authorities have charged four non-citizens in New Jersey with crimes related to illegally voting in federal elections and making false statements during the naturalization process, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The charges stem from a combined investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The defendants are identified in court papers as Idan Choresh, 43, an Israeli citizen; Jacenth Emelyn Beadle Exum, 70, a Jamaican citizen; David Gboty Neewilly, 73, a Liberian citizen; and Abhinandan Vig, 33, an Indian citizen.
According to federal officials, Choresh entered the United States in 2001, acquired a green card in July 2020, and voted in the 2022 election before seeking for naturalization in May 2025.
He is charged with voting as an alien in a federal election, making false statements about naturalization, and unlawfully obtaining citizenship. Exum, who entered in 2000, became a lawful permanent resident in 2004, and was naturalized in August 2022, is facing a false statements allegation for allegedly participating in the 2020 election.
Neewilly came to the country in 1998, acquired his green card in June 2014, and sought for naturalization in May 2025. He is accused of voting in both the 2020 and 2024 federal elections, and he faces charges of illegal voting as an alien and making false declarations. Vig, who arrived in 2012 and requested for citizenship in March 2024, is accused of illegally obtaining citizenship in exchange for voting in 2020.
“These aliens illegally voted in American elections,” Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. “New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill admitted that thousands of non-citizens have registered to vote in New Jersey. “We need the SAVE America Act to ensure that only Americans elect American leaders.”
The allegations are part of a larger government attempt to restrict noncitizen voting. Earlier this month, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin issued warning letters to election authorities in four states, including New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell, alleging that tens of thousands of non-citizens were on voter registers.
Following the warning, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed that approximately 6,600 non-citizens had registered to vote in the state. According to reports issued accompanying the DHS announcement, around 75,000 noncitizens are summoned for jury duty in New Jersey each year.
The enforcement actions follow DHS directives announced in June, which directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pursue tougher penalties, including deportation, for non-citizens who cast illicit ballots in US elections.
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