COLOMBIAN WOMAN IN U.S. ILLEGALLY ACCUSED OF STEALING IDENTITY, VOTING FRAUD, AND TAKING OVER $400K IN FEDERAL AID
A Colombian woman living unlawfully in Massachusetts has been accused of stealing someone’s identity and using it to live in the U.S. for over two decades while fraudulently collecting more than $400,000 in government benefits.
According to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office, 59-year-old Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez is alleged to have obtained a stolen identity that allowed her to receive federal assistance and even vote in the 2024 presidential election. Authorities say she acquired nine different state-issued IDs, including a Massachusetts Real ID, and applied for a U.S. passport.
Using this false identity, prosecutors claim Orovio-Hernandez received:
$259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance from October 2011 through January 2025, $101,257 in Social Security disability payments from July 2014 through January 2025, and $43,348 in SNAP (food stamp) benefits from April 2005 through January 2025.
Officials say she submitted a fake voter registration in January 2023 and went on to cast a ballot in the presidential election later that year.
“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,” said Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley.
Foley emphasized that “government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully – not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.” She added that the alleged actions “are an affront to every individual who plays by the rules.”
Amy Connelly, a special agent in charge at the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, also weighed in, saying: “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.”
Connelly added, “For over 20 years, the defendant is alleged to have lived under a stolen identity, fraudulently collecting federal benefits, committing voter fraud, and undermining the integrity of public trust.”
Orovio-Hernandez is now facing multiple charges, including:
False representation of a Social Security number Making a false statement in a passport application Aggravated identity theft Receiving stolen government funds (three counts) Fraudulent voter registration Fraudulent voting
She was first indicted in February and has remained in federal custody since.
COMMENTARY:
The recent indictment of Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez—a Colombian national accused of living illegally in Massachusetts and collecting over $400,000 in federal benefits—completely undermines the Democrats’ repeated claims that illegal immigrants do not receive government aid. Just days ago, Democratic lawmakers were loudly insisting that illegal aliens are not getting benefits like food stamps or Social Security as they tried to block House Republicans and President Donald J. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes historic tax cuts. But this case proves that such claims are simply not grounded in reality.
Democrats argued that safeguards in the welfare system prevent illegal immigrants from accessing public resources. Yet Orovio-Hernandez, according to federal prosecutors, received years’ worth of Section 8 housing aid, Social Security disability payments, and SNAP (food stamp) benefits—all while using a stolen identity. This isn’t a loophole or a rare exception. It’s a direct result of a system that has failed to detect and prevent abuse for decades. Democrats pretending otherwise only raises suspicions about their intentions.
This revelation is especially embarrassing considering how aggressively Democrats fought against the Republican-led efforts to tie border security and stricter benefit eligibility to the budget proposal. When President Trump and House Republicans championed reforms to protect taxpayer dollars from being funneled to illegal aliens, Democrats dismissed it as unnecessary and xenophobic. Yet now, we have undeniable proof that illegals are tapping into these systems—some for more than 20 years.
The facts laid out by the U.S. Attorney’s Office show that not only did Orovio-Hernandez commit benefit fraud, but she also illegally voted in the 2024 presidential election. That alone should shake the foundation of every American who believes in fair elections. Still, Democrats continue to downplay or ignore these dangers, often accusing Republicans of spreading conspiracy theories when they raise concerns about illegal voting or benefit fraud.
The Democrats’ narrative—that illegal immigrants are not costing the country money—is now collapsing under its own weight. If just one person was able to steal over $400,000 in benefits, how many others are doing the same without getting caught? This case is just the tip of the iceberg. The systems in place clearly aren’t working, and yet Democrats refuse to support real reforms that would prevent this kind of fraud in the future.
Moreover, this indictment validates what President Trump and Republicans have been saying for years: the border crisis isn’t just about immigration—it’s about national security, public trust, and protecting taxpayer money. Democrats say they care about helping the vulnerable, yet they’re turning a blind eye while people who have no legal right to be here siphon off resources meant for struggling American families.
The Democratic leadership’s opposition to the “Big Beautiful Bill” tax cuts was paired with their claim that those reforms would hurt the poor and reward the rich. But what about the millions in taxpayer dollars being drained by illegal activity like this? Republicans have made it clear that they want to see benefits go to citizens who truly need them—not people gaming the system using false identities.
Instead of admitting their mistakes, Democrats continue to use emotional arguments, accusing anyone who wants border and welfare reform of being racist or anti-immigrant. But this isn’t about race. It’s about law, fairness, and common sense. Americans work hard, pay taxes, and expect their government to protect public resources—not hand them out to those here illegally.
This scandal should be a wake-up call. It’s time for Democrats to stop misleading the public and start supporting legislation that protects the integrity of our systems. If they truly believe in a fair and just society, they can no longer pretend this kind of fraud isn’t happening.
In the end, President Trump and the House Republicans are right to demand accountability, voter integrity, and strong borders. The case of Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez proves that without these safeguards, the system will continue to be abused—and the American people will continue to pay the price.
ARTICLE:
Share this:
Discover more from Free News and Commentary Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
