Federal operation in California leads to 11 arrests; allegations involve illegal voter registration and voting in the 2024 election
Shah J. Choudhury:— Twenty-eight green card holders in California have been charged with federal offenses related to allegedly registering to vote and casting ballots illegally in the 2024 U.S. election. Two Indian nationals are among those accused, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Authorities said 11 people were arrested in connection with the investigation.
The operation, called “Operation Protect the Vote,” was announced Monday. Federal authorities allege that the defendants engaged in activities involving voter registration or voting despite not being U.S. citizens. It was not immediately confirmed whether either of the two Indian nationals was among those arrested.
Two Indian Nationals Named in the Case
According to the Justice Department, Amandeep Kaur is accused of registering to vote in December 2022 and casting a ballot in the November 2024 U.S. election. She is identified as a resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Kamlesh Shah, a resident of Sacramento, is accused of registering to vote and casting a ballot on Election Day during the 2024 general election.
The allegations against each defendant are subject to the legal process, and the charges have not been proven in court.
Green Card Holders Generally Cannot Vote in Federal Elections
Lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders, are generally not eligible to vote in federal elections. Although they may legally live and work in the United States, voting in federal elections is generally reserved for U.S. citizens.
Federal offenses may include illegally voting in an election, making false statements about citizenship during voter registration, or providing false information in citizenship-related applications. Potential penalties depend on the specific charges and the outcome of each case.
Election Security Under Scrutiny
The investigation comes amid continued national debate over voter registration, citizenship verification and election security ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Federal authorities have emphasized enforcement against alleged election violations. However, the broader significance of such cases and their potential impact on election integrity remain subjects of public discussion.
An important legal distinction: Being charged with a crime does not establish guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
