Illegal Immigrant Charged with Fraudulent Voting, $400K Benefit Theft in Boston

Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, a Colombian national who has lived illegally in the United States for over 20 years under a stolen identity, has been charged with multiple offenses including voter fraud, identity theft, and receipt of over $400,000 in federal benefits. She allegedly obtained numerous state IDs, a Massachusetts Real ID, and applied for a U.S. passport by falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Orovio-Hernandez is accused of illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election after registering to vote in 2023. Prosecutors detailed that she received $259,589 in Section 8 housing assistance, $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits, and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley condemned her actions as undermining programs meant to support lawful residents and highlighted the seriousness of using stolen identities to exploit government services and commit election fraud. Orovio-Hernandez remains in federal custody, facing up to ten years in prison and substantial fines if convicted.