“Alarmingly, 11 of the 15 charged defendants are suspected illegal aliens – some of whom assumed stolen identities to steal these taxpayer-funded benefits and avoid detection,” Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald reported Thursday, announcing charges filed in a benefit fraud crackdown in Massachusetts.
The defendants are charged with more than $1.4 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit fraud, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division McDonald revealed in a press conference, highlighting the predominance of illegal aliens among those arrested and how they used identity fraud to illegally gain benefits:
“We’re still working to find their true identities. We do not know fully who they are – but, we do know who they are not. They are not the American citizens they pretend to be.”
“American citizens were boxed out of these programs because illegal aliens took their names to then take their money – or, more accurately your money, the American taxpayers’ money,” McDonald explained.
“There isn’t any place else in the world where you can go and be handed free food, free housing, free healthcare and free monthly checks, while being in the country illegally,” U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement, noting the apparent ease with which the illegal aliens have previously been able to commit fraud in Massachusetts:
“It appears that you can come to Massachusetts and steal as many benefits as you want without fear and without any accountability.”
“This is all ending on my watch. Beginning today, we will be announcing benefit fraud charges on a rolling basis,” Foley promised.
The suspects, several of whom are Dominican nationals living illegally in the U.S., each defrauded taxpayers of between $4,00 to over $500,000.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud in the U.S.
🚨Justice Department CHARGES 11 ILLEGAL ALIENS Among 15 in $1.4M Benefit Fraud Crackdown in Massachusetts
— National Fraud Enforcement Division (@DOJFraudDiv) June 18, 2026
“These cases highlight a broader, deeply troubling pattern: the exploitation of America’s safety-net by illegal aliens,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald.… pic.twitter.com/ZvUH6yhQA5
