Immigration services execs indicted in asylum applications scam: USAO

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – The United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), Northern District of California said two executives of a Newark-based immigration services company have been charged in a scheme where they falsified more than 200 asylum applications and encouraged clients to lie during asylum interviews.

A federal grand jury has indicted Dongquan “Derek” Jin and Yimin “Kelly” Lu with aiding and abetting false statements on asylum applications, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey on Friday.

According to the indictment, Jin and Lu ran Gospel Immigration Service, Inc., a corporation that promoted itself as providing “assistance in applying for immigration documents and benefits, including asylum.”

The indictment alleges the duo were the preparers on more than 200 asylum applications sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) between 2013 and 2024.

Prosecutors allege that Jin and Lu gave their clients “sample personal statements describing persecution” to use in their applications.  According to the indictment, Jin and Lu would add “false and embellished details”  they believed would help their clients’ chances of being granted asylum.

The incident alleges they would train their clients to remember false details in their applications and would have practice sessions with them before their asylum interviews. Jin and Lu allegedly charged clients at least $5,000 and pressured them for bonuses, or “red envelopes,” once their applications were approved.

Jin and Lu are scheduled to appear in federal court on Oct. 16. If convicted, Jin and Lu each face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

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