In yet another example of the fact that illegal aliens seldom commit the sole crime of being illegally in the country. A Colombian woman living illegally in Boston has been convicted of identity theft and voter fraud after living under a stolen identity for over 20 years.
In a news release from the Department of Justice, 59-year-old Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez obtained a Massachusetts Real ID and eight other state IDs, fraudulently received over $400,000 in federal benefits, including rental assistance, Social Security, and SNAP benefits. She also used the stolen identity to cast a fraudulent ballot in the 2024 presidential election.
Orovio-Hernandez was charged in February 2025 and has remained in federal custody since. She was charged by superseding indictment in May 2025. Following a five-day trial, Orovio-Hernandez was convicted in February, 2026 of the following:
False representation of a Social Security number
Making a false statement in an application for a United States passport
Aggravated identity theft
Receiving stolen government money or property (3 counts)
Fraudulent voting
Among the approximately $400,000 in federal benefits are:
$259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025
$101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January 2025
$43,348 in SNAP benefits from April 2005 through January 2025
“Ms. Orovio-Hernandez has lived in this country illegally for two decades, during which time she repeatedly made false statements, stole, committed fraud and even voted illegally,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her repeated criminal acts are a slap in the face to all those who come into this country legally and abide by our laws. The air of entitlement is astounding. This case is yet another example of our commitment to rooting out those who violate our immigration laws and steal from United States”
“This investigation highlights the critical role of DSS in protecting the American public from identity and document fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Nathan Hebert of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office. “This conviction reflects the tireless efforts of our special agents and the strength of our partnerships across agencies.”
“This verdict sends a clear message: identity theft and fraud against federal benefit programs will not go undetected or unpunished,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Boston–New York Field Division.
“The jury confirmed that the defendant used a stolen identity to illegally collect Social Security benefits, commit voter fraud, and undermine public trust. SSA OIG is committed to investigating and holding accountable anyone—including illegal immigrants—who exploit Social Security programs.”
“Orovio-Hernandez’s calculated deception caused her to fraudulently receive over $400,000 in federal benefits including more than $250,000 in HUD rental assistance. These taxpayer funds were intended to provide housing assistance to our most at-risk populations—low income, disabled, and elderly United States citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Her actions were not a onetime mistake or accident. She lived under a stolen identity for over two decades, taking numerous actions and steps to further defraud the United States Government. HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD program.
Meanwhile, an illegal from Africa has been charged with voting in multiple elections in Pennsylvania while ignoring a 2000 deportation order.
The DOJ said Mahady Sacko, 50, of Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with “fraudulent voting in the 2024 federal election by an illegal alien.” Sacko allegedly voted in person in the 2024 general election for federal office, falsely representing that he was a U.S. citizen.
Illegal aliens routinely drive illegally with no license, drive illegally with no insurance, use identity theft to work illegally and illegally obtain tax payer-paid benefits, and illegally ignore orders of deportation for years or decades. Being in the U.S. is usually just one of the illegal acts they commit, and which advocates for the illegals demand be ignored.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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