Atherton resident accused of green card scam extradited from Kyrgyzstan
A 60-year-old woman residing in Atherton has been extradited from Kyrgyzstan, accused of orchestrating a deceptive visa scheme targeting affluent foreign investors looking to obtain permanent residency status in the United States. Danhong, also known as “Jean” Chen, alongside her former spouse, Jianyun, also referred to as “Tony” Ye, collaborated in a San Jose law practice to allegedly fabricate and present false documentation allowing immigrants to secure green cards under the EB-5 program by investing at least $1 million in U.S. businesses.
The couple acquired a regional center, offering immigrants investment opportunities, transferring the ownership to another individual rapidly, revealed an indictment issued in 2019. Approximately 105 individuals poured $52.5 million into this investment center linked to Chen and Ye. Ye admitted guilt in 2021 for visa fraud and obstruction and faced a 12-month imprisonment term, later completing the sentence and being freed, as per prosecutor accounts.
Chen managed to evade authorities and secured citizenship in Dominica, a Caribbean land, in October 2018 parallel to a lawsuit filed against her by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Following legal proceedings initiated by U.S. officials, Chen was apprehended in Kyrgyzstan, officially named the Kyrgyz Republic. Before Judge Susan van Keulen in a federal court in San Jose, she was presented for legal proceedings. Prosecutors noted that this marks the foremost extradition from Kyrgyzstan to the United States sanctioned by federal criminal charges.
This ordeal elevates the significance of adherence to legitimate practices and ethical standards in approaches to immigration issues and veers light on the crucial need for ensuring transparency and legality in all dealings related to U.S. immigration protocols. It emphasizes the potential repercussions, including criminal charges, faced by those manipulating the system for personal gains. These indictments serve as a reminder of the vital role played by diligence and uprightness in safeguarding the integrity and authenticity of visa programs crucial to international interactions.
The case unveils the intricacies and vulnerabilities in visa systems that can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit legal loopholes for ulterior motives. Such instances tarnish the reputation of legitimate visa programs and expose the unwary to risks and fraud, underlining the importance of stringent monitoring and compliance to prevent illicit activities. The events surrounding Chen and Ye underscore the gravity of such breaches and highlight the perpetual vigilance required to combat immigrant fraud and safeguard the integrity of U.S. immigration policies.
