Colombian Woman’s Decades-Long U.S. Identity Fraud Exposed

Clear Facts

• A Colombian national, Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, has been indicted for living illegally in the U.S. for over 20 years using a stolen identity.
• She is accused of unlawfully obtaining approximately $400,000 in government benefits and voting in the 2024 presidential election.
• If convicted, Orovio-Hernandez could face over 30 years in prison and deportation.

In a significant case highlighting the ongoing issues of illegal immigration and election integrity, a Colombian woman residing in Boston has been indicted by a federal Grand Jury. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, is accused of living in the United States unlawfully for more than two decades under a stolen identity.

During this time, she allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits and even participated in the 2024 presidential election.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that Orovio-Hernandez improperly collected around $400,000 in benefits. This includes $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance, $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits, and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley stated, “For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity – including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need.”

The charges against Orovio-Hernandez are extensive. She faces one count each of fraudulent voter registration, fraudulent voting, false representation of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft. Additionally, she is charged with making a false statement in a U.S. passport application and three counts of receiving stolen government money or property.

Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “Stealing someone’s identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft — it’s a long-term abuse of a system meant to support those truly in need,” she remarked.

This case comes amid efforts to enhance election integrity and prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections. In March, an Executive Order was signed aimed at preserving and protecting the integrity of American elections.

Moreover, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. This update will allow for Social Security numbers to be used, making it more challenging for non-citizens to participate in U.S. elections.

Orovio-Hernandez is not the first illegal migrant to assume another’s identity and vote in American elections. Previous cases include Angelica Maria Francisco and Carlos Abreu, who also lived in the U.S. under false identities.

If found guilty of all charges, Orovio-Hernandez faces the possibility of more than 30 years in prison and fines exceeding $1 million. Upon serving her sentence, she could also be deported back to Colombia.

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