Boston Indicts Illegal Aliens in Welfare Fraud Case

The Trump administration’s Justice Department revealed on Thursday that Boston, a city managed by Democrats and known as a sanctuary city, has indicted 11 illegal immigrants and four U.S. citizens for allegedly defrauding welfare programs, costing over $1.4 million.

Among the defendants, six are reportedly illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic, and one is from India. They face accusations of improperly benefiting from several assistance programs, including MassHealth and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Assistant Attorney General Colin MacDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Bureau commented, “They allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars each in benefits they were not entitled to.” This case is seen as part of a larger issue involving abuse of America’s safety net by non-citizens, according to MacDonald.

The Trump administration has intensified efforts to target fraud, aiming to diminish financial attractions for foreign nationals entering the country illegally. In a February 19, 2025, Executive Order, President Trump emphasized the need to “End Taxpayer Subsidy for Open Borders,” directing agencies to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits go only to eligible individuals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture was one agency that implemented stricter eligibility checks to halt “ineligible aliens” from accessing benefits. Meanwhile, the Justice Department has arrested numerous individuals across the country suspected of fraudulently receiving substantial assistance.

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley noted that this announcement marks just the beginning in Massachusetts as the Benefits and Voter Fraud Team started proactive measures against fraud in March. Foley stated, “Today’s announcement highlights how some individuals have exploited programs meant to support Americans in need, stealing from SNAP and MassHealth.”

Some of the Massachusetts detainees include:

• Santo Escolastico Cuell, a 56-year-old illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic living in Worcester, facing charges of aggravated identity theft and making false statements in connection with a $162,180 MassHealth fraud.
• Mario Baez Romero, a 45-year-old illegal immigrant from the Dominican Republic residing in Somerville, charged with aggravated identity theft and passport fraud related to $26,942 in SNAP fraud and $48,785 in MassHealth fraud.
• Richard Odeliz Varegas Nuñez, a 35-year-old undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic living in Allston, accused of aggravated identity theft and illegal production of ID documents involving $48,865 in MassHealth fraud.
• Miguel Diaz Matos, a 54-year-old undocumented immigrant also from the Dominican Republic living in Lynn, charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft, amassing $13,431 in SNAP fraud and $50,494 in MassHealth fraud.

If found guilty, these individuals could face rigorous penalties. For instance, committing SNAP fraud over $100 can lead to a maximum of five years in prison, while amounts exceeding $5,000 can escalate to 20 years, with potential fines of $250,000.

A recent report from the Center for Immigration Studies shed light on welfare use among non-citizens, revealing that approximately half are likely illegal immigrants. The report indicated that 47% of households run by non-citizens engage with one or more traditional welfare programs, which is substantially higher than the 28% of U.S.-born households utilizing similar assistance.

It further noted that non-citizens are more inclined than U.S. citizens to access traditional welfare or qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), particularly in states with generous welfare systems like Massachusetts and Illinois.