Two Pakistani nationals now face serious federal charges in the United States. Authorities have indicted them for illegally casting ballots in the 2020 presidential election. They also stand accused of lying during their applications for American citizenship.
The Charges and Allegations
Federal prosecutors named Muhammad Muzammal, aged 37, and Muhammad Shakeel, aged 62, in the indictment. The core accusation states both men were not US citizens when they registered to vote in New Jersey. On their voter registration forms, they falsely certified they were American citizens. This misrepresentation led to the approval of their registrations.
Subsequently, both individuals voted in the November 2020 general election. Casting that ballot constituted a federal crime because they lacked citizenship status at the time.
The Naturalization Fraud
The legal troubles for Muzammal and Shakeel did not end with the illegal vote. After participating in the election, each man separately applied for naturalization. This is the formal process where Green Card holders become full US citizens.
They submitted Form N-400, the official Application for Naturalization. This form requires applicants to swear, under penalty of perjury, that all provided information is complete and truthful. In their applications, both men answered "no" to a critical question. They claimed they had never registered to vote or voted in any election in the United States.
Later, during mandatory interviews with immigration officials, they repeated this false claim under oath. They again denied ever voting in a Federal, state, or local election.
Background and Legal Status
Court documents reveal both men have lived in the United States since 2017. They entered the country legally and held permanent resident status, commonly known as a Green Card. This status was granted through family-based visas.
Their legal standing as permanent residents made their alleged actions particularly serious. They are accused of violating the trust placed in them as lawful residents.
Defense and Plea of Innocence
The two defendants are fighting the charges. Their attorney, Rizwan M. Kahlid, who represents both men, issued a strong statement. He said his clients firmly maintain their innocence.
"Our clients maintain their innocence and are committed to fully cooperating with law enforcement and the judicial system throughout the process," Kahlid stated. "We strongly believe that the facts, once fully presented and examined, will demonstrate that the allegations against our clients are without merit."
The case highlights the stringent laws governing election integrity and the naturalization process in the United States. It serves as a reminder that falsely claiming citizenship or voting rights carries severe legal consequences.
