For decades, open-border advocates have assured us that illegal immigration poses no threat to American elections or our welfare system. But as President Trump’s courageous fight for election integrity moves forward, the stunning indictment of Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, a Colombian national illegally residing in Boston, proves once again that the left’s talking points are nothing but dangerous lies.
According to a federal indictment unveiled last Thursday, Orovio-Hernandez didn’t just slip quietly into our country—she brazenly stole an American’s identity, fraudulently registered to vote, and cast a ballot in the pivotal 2024 presidential election. If that wasn’t enough, she allegedly scammed hardworking American taxpayers out of nearly $400,000 in government benefits, including Section 8 rental assistance, Social Security disability payments, and food stamps.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, leading the charge against this egregious abuse, put it bluntly: “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.”
Let’s be clear—this isn’t a victimless crime. Every dollar pilfered from our social safety nets is a dollar stolen from the pockets of hardworking American families. Every fraudulent vote cast cancels out the legitimate voice of an honest, law-abiding citizen. For too long, liberal politicians have turned a blind eye to this threat, claiming voter fraud is a myth. But ask the tens of millions of real Americans who cast their votes honestly if they think voter fraud is a myth. Their voices matter, and their votes must count.
President Trump understands this reality. His administration immediately prioritized election integrity upon returning to the Oval Office. In March, Trump signed the landmark Executive Order 14248, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” designed specifically to purge our electoral system of fraud, systemic error, and foreign interference.
The indictment of Orovio-Hernandez is just one example among many. Illegal migrants Angelica Maria Francisco of Guatemala and Carlos Abreu of the Dominican Republic have also pled guilty to identity theft and illegal voting in recent elections. These shocking cases prove that the left’s narrative—that voter fraud involving illegal immigrants is imaginary—is dangerously misleading. It’s not only real; it’s happening right under our noses.
Furthermore, Trump’s administration is rolling out crucial updates to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, used by local and state agencies to verify immigration status. Now, social security numbers will be cross-checked with immigration records, making it significantly harder for illegal migrants to exploit our system. This enhanced scrutiny will finally help protect taxpayer dollars and ensure benefits reach American citizens who genuinely need our help.
Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge at the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, summed it up succinctly: “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 is right—this is theft from every hardworking taxpayer, and it must stop.
If convicted on all charges, Orovio-Hernandez could face over 30 years in prison and more than a million dollars in fines. But even justice served won’t erase the damage done. Every case of voter fraud chips away at confidence in our democratic institutions. Every dollar stolen from American taxpayers undermines our sense of justice and fairness.
President Trump’s America First agenda—securing our borders, protecting American workers, and safeguarding our elections from fraud—is exactly what our nation needs. The indictment of Orovio-Hernandez should serve as a wake-up call for every voter and every politician who still believes that open borders and lax enforcement come without serious consequences.
It’s time to stand firm, support President Trump’s decisive actions, and finally put an end to the rampant abuse of our elections and welfare systems. For the sake of our sovereignty and the integrity of our democracy, we cannot afford to delay any longer.
