NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
FORT WORTH, TX, October 29, 2026: An Indian national who was legally residing in the United States has been convicted by a federal jury of illegally voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election and falsely claiming American citizenship to register to vote.
Khalwinder Singh Bhengura, a citizen of India and a lawful permanent resident of the United States, was found guilty on October 27, 2026, following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman in Fort Worth, Texas.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Bhengura became a lawful permanent resident, commonly known as a green card holder, on June 29, 2022. He was not a U.S. citizen and had never applied for American citizenship.
Federal prosecutors said Bhengura falsely declared himself a U.S. citizen when he applied for a Texas driver license in Tarrant County on August 1, 2024.
As part of the application, he checked boxes indicating that he was an American citizen and wished to register to vote. Based on those declarations, he was registered as a voter in Texas.
On November 5, 2024, Bhengura cast his ballot in person at the East Library and Recreation Center in Arlington, Texas, during the general election that included races for president, vice president, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Under federal law, lawful permanent residents are not permitted to vote in federal elections. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to participate in these elections.
After several hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Bhengura on two federal charges: voting as a noncitizen in a federal election and falsely claiming U.S. citizenship to register to vote.
“Voting in our national elections is reserved for US citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “Every unlawful vote undermines the voices of eligible citizens, and this office will hold accountable anyone who undermines our elections.”
Bhengura is scheduled to be sentenced on February 11, 2027.
He faces a maximum of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for falsely claiming citizenship to register to vote. The separate conviction for voting as a noncitizen carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
In addition to criminal penalties, Bhengura could face immigration consequences, including removal from the United States after serving any prison sentence imposed by the court.
