Danhong Chen, Visa Fraud, California 2019

San Jose, California - A San Jose immigration lawyer has been extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges of large-scale visa fraud.

Danhong 'Jean' Chen, 60, who previously resided in Atherton, California, and her business partner and ex-spouse, Jianyun 'Tony' Ye, were indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2019.

The 14-count indictment alleges the defendants committed visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government's employment-based immigration fifth preference, or 'EB-5,' visa program.

Chen, who was the sole partner at the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen in San Jose, prepared and submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fraudulent documents that contained false signatures and falsely described how applicants would qualify for the EB-5 program.

Under the EB-5 program, foreign nationals could obtain permanent United States residency, commonly known as 'green card' status, by investing in qualifying businesses in the United States. The indictment alleges Chen fraudulently obtained immigration benefits through the EB-5 program on behalf of her clients by, among other actions, falsifying documents to hide the true ownership and nature of a regional center.

Chen is charged with 10 counts of visa fraud and four counts of obstruction of justice. Her business partner, Jianyun 'Tony' Ye, pleaded guilty to visa fraud and obstruction and was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison in 2021.

Chen will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen in federal district court in San Jose this afternoon.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Danhong 'Jean' Chen; Exact Criminal Charges: Visa fraud and obstruction of justice; City and State: San Jose, California; Exact Date: March 2019; Sentence or Outcome: Currently in custody awaiting trial.

According to the indictment, Chen and her business partner solicited investments from foreign nationals, promising them permanent residency in the United States in exchange for investments in qualifying businesses. The indictment alleges Chen and her business partner made false statements to USCIS in support of these applications.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint in October 2018 against Chen and others alleging that Chen improperly solicited investments and committed other violations of law.

Chen left the United States immediately after the SEC filed its civil enforcement complaint and was at large until she was arrested in the Kyrgyz Republic at the request of the United States.

The indictment alleges Chen and her business partner obtained more than $52 million in investments from foreign nationals through the EB-5 program.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/san-jose-immigration-lawyer-extradited-kyrgyz-republic-face-charges-large-scale-visa