Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, has been extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States. She is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen in San Jose's federal district court. This marks the first instance of extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.
Chen, aged 60 and a former resident of Atherton, California, along with her ex-spouse and business partner Jianyun “Tony” Ye, faced a federal grand jury indictment in March 2019. The indictment accuses them of visa fraud and related offenses aimed at securing immigration benefits for over 100 foreign investors through the EB-5 visa program. In 2021, Ye admitted guilt to visa fraud and obstruction charges, receiving a 12-month prison sentence which he has since completed.
In October 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint against Chen and others, alleging improper solicitation of investments and other legal violations. Following this filing, Chen left the United States but was apprehended in the Kyrgyz Republic upon request by U.S. authorities.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani, and SEC Office of the Inspector General Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey.
The indictment outlines that Chen operated as the sole partner at the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen in San Jose, specializing in immigration law. It is alleged that she submitted fraudulent documents to USCIS containing false signatures and descriptions regarding applicants' qualifications for the EB-5 program.
Under this program, foreign nationals could obtain permanent residency in the U.S., commonly referred to as "green card" status, by investing in qualifying businesses within the country. Alien investors complying with program requirements initially receive conditional permanent residency for two years before they can petition for full permanent residency. Investments must be $500,000 in low-employment areas or $1 million elsewhere.
Chen's firm reportedly represented clients who invested approximately $52 million into projects under this program. Allegations include falsifying documents to obscure ownership details of a regional center purchased by Chen—the Golden State Regional Center—and transferring its ownership without consent.
Additionally charged are allegations of obstruction related to investigations by both SEC and FBI—directing individuals to provide false information or delete emails pertinent to these investigations.
Chen faces multiple charges: ten counts of visa fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a), one count each of obstruction under sections 1505 and 1512(b)(3), plus aggravated identity theft under section 1028A. If convicted on all counts, she faces substantial fines and potential imprisonment ranging from two years minimum for identity theft up to 20 years for certain obstruction charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lloyd Farnham leads prosecution efforts with support from Susan Kreider following an investigation by FBI and SEC OIG teams. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with Kyrgyz authorities on Chen’s arrest and extradition process.