Man Impersonated Green Card Holder to Vote. Then He Reported Him—DOJ

Notably, a Chinese national living in Massachusetts is accused of impersonating a green card holder to illegally vote in the 2024 election, before reporting him and his wife to immigration authorities.

Key points

• Prosecutors allege that on October 10, 2024, an online voter registration was submitted in J.L.'s name using his identifying information, including his Massachusetts driver's license number.
• The complaint notes Homeland Security Investigations received two anonymous online tips in April 2026 accusing J.L.
• A number of of the complaint's most striking allegations stem from statements investigators say Sun produced during a recorded interview on July 23, 2026.
• Each charge could carry up to five years in prison, if convicted, along with a potential fine of up to $250, 000.
• Though those charges were eventually dismissed, the relationship afterwards deteriorated after Sun was arrested in 2023 on assault-and-battery allegations involving J.L.'s adult daughter.

By Dan Gooding Associate News Editor. Newsweek is a Trust Project member.

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Meanwhile, the case, confirmed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts Wednesday, appeared to be an unexpected twist on the matter of illegal immigrant voting. It the Trump administration has sought to highlight and prevent.

After his alleged crimes led to two fellow Chinese nationals, whom he had rented a room from, having their green cards revoked and facing potential deportation, yupeng Sun, 33, was charged with one count of fraudulent voter registration and one count of fraudulent voting.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. It was not immediately clear if Sun had retained an attorney.

According to investigators, Sun previously rented a room from one of the victims identified as J.L. And his family in Malden, Massachusetts.

Though those charges were eventually dismissed, the relationship afterwards deteriorated after Sun was arrested in 2023 on assault-and-battery allegations involving J.L.'s adult daughter. The complaint cites civil litigation and other disputes between the parties as evidence of a long-running conflict.

Prosecutors allege that on October 10, 2024, an online voter registration was submitted in J.L.'s name using his identifying information, including his Massachusetts driver's license number. Investigators say J.L., who was a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. Citizen, was not eligible to register or vote.

Three weeks afterwards, on October 31, 2024, someone identifying himself as J.L. Allegedly voted during early voting at Malden City Hall. State records cited in the complaint show that the ballot was accepted. Prosecutors say Sun afterwards admitted to casting the ballot.

Meanwhile, the complaint notes Homeland Security Investigations received two anonymous online tips in April 2026 accusing J.L. Of illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election despite being a green card holder; the complaint includes those messages. The same allegations were additionally mailed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices.

According to investigators, the mailings included screenshots showing J.L.'s voter-registration information and details of the alleged voting activity. Federal agents afterwards employed postal tracking records, internet records, and admissions allegedly created by Sun to connect him to the reports. During a July 2026 interview, investigators say Sun admitted sending the complaints.

"I went to post office and, uh, to report the father vote, " Sun allegedly informed agents when shown one of the anonymous mailings. The case extends beyond the voting allegations.

According to the complaint, USCIS processed forms in April 2024 that purported to be from J.L. And his wife, identified as Y.L., asking to abandon their lawful permanent resident status. Prosecutors allege they submitted those documents fraudulently.

When the couple returned from an international trip through Boston Logan International Airport in June 2024, they were flagged since administration records indicated that their permanent resident status had been abandoned. The complaint notes they were placed into removal proceedings and had their green cards confiscated.

Notably, the couple afterwards challenged the documents in immigration court, arguing they had never signed them.

In a filing cited by prosecutors, their attorneys informed the court: "Respondents' personal information was stolen and misused by their previous tenant without their knowledge or consent. The tenant aimed to retaliate against them. The two Form I-407s filed under the names of Respondents were forged by the previous tenant." Did the Victims Obtain Their Green Cards Back?

In practice, the couple did have their green cards restored after an immigration judge heard testimony from J.L. And Y.L. In January 2026. Both testified that they had not submitted the abandonment forms, and a forensic document examiner concluded through handwriting analysis that they had not signed the documents.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge discovered the couple credible and ordered their lawful permanent resident status restored.

Meanwhile, the restoration concluded almost two years of immigration complications stemming from the allegedly fraudulent filings, according to the complaint. What Investigators Say Sun Informed Them.

For context, a number of of the complaint's most striking allegations stem from statements investigators say Sun produced during a recorded interview on July 23, 2026.

According to the filing, Sun acknowledged registering J.L. To vote, voting in J.L.'s name and sending the anonymous complaints to authorities. When investigators indicated him a Form I-407 employed to abandon J.L.'s permanent resident status, Sun allegedly responded: "I signature."

Notably, the complaint additionally quotes Sun expressing lingering resentment toward the family. When asked whether he still had bad feelings toward J.L.'s daughter, prosecutors say he replied: "very, very." When asked whether he was angry only at the daughter or additionally at J.L. And his wife, he allegedly answered: "both."

According to the complaint, Sun afterwards texted one of the investigators, writing: "I know I have a high chance to be charged."

Federal prosecutors are now seeking to pursue charges alleging that Sun deprived Massachusetts residents of a fair election by fraudulently registering a voter and casting a ballot under another person's name. Each charge could carry up to five years in prison, if convicted, along with a potential fine of up to $250, 000. Sun could additionally face deportation after any potential sentence is served. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Sam Wilson.

Taken together, the developments around man Impersonated Green Card Holder to Vote. Then He Reported Him point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.