A New York court has disbarred attorney Jean Danhong Chen for committing serious crimes related to an immigration fraud scheme. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York made this ruling on August 27, 2026, following Chen's guilty plea to federal charges of visa fraud, witness tampering, and obstruction of proceedings. This decision affects Chen's ability to practice law in New York and serves as a warning about the consequences of serious misconduct in the legal profession.
Chen, who was admitted to practice law in New York in 1998, previously operated an immigration law practice in California. However, she was not licensed to practice law in California. In November 2025, she pleaded guilty to federal crimes before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Her conviction was part of a 14-count indictment related to her involvement in a long-running immigration fraud scheme that affected over 100 foreign investors. The court sentenced her to a term of incarceration and imposed a $20,000 fine.
The charges stemmed from Chen's actions between 2014 and 2017, during which she engaged in fraudulent activities to obtain immigration benefits under the EB-5 Immigration Investor Program. This program allows foreign investors to obtain U.S. residency by investing in American businesses. Chen prepared and submitted fraudulent documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which contained false information. Additionally, she attempted to obstruct investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission by persuading others to delete relevant information and provide false statements.
Following her guilty plea, the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department moved to strike Chen's name from the roll of attorneys, citing her conviction as grounds for disbarment. The committee argued that her actions constituted serious misconduct and warranted immediate suspension from practicing law. Chen did not respond to the motion, leading to the court's decision.
The court ruled that Chen's conviction for visa fraud and witness tampering constituted serious crimes under New York law. It stated, "Inasmuch as visa fraud and witness tampering both constitute federal felonies, and the plain language of those felonies also contains a requisite 'necessary element' as contemplated by Judiciary Law § 90 (4) (d) — namely, that visa fraud includes a material element of fraud and that witness tampering includes a material element of hindering, delaying or preventing communication to law enforcement — we find that respondent has been convicted of a serious crime warranting the imposition of discipline."
Judges Clark, Pritzker, Fisher, McShan, and Ryba concurred with the ruling. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal profession and protecting the public from attorneys who engage in serious misconduct. It noted that disbarment is consistent with precedent regarding similar cases involving extensive fraud schemes.
As a result of the ruling, Chen's name has been struck from the roll of attorneys in New York, effective immediately. The court ordered her to cease all legal practice and comply with the rules governing disbarred attorneys. This ruling not only ends Chen's legal career but also sends a clear message about the consequences of unethical behavior in the legal field.
This decision will have lasting implications for Chen, who now faces significant barriers to re-entering the legal profession. Disbarment is a severe penalty and reflects the court's commitment to upholding the standards of the legal profession. Chen's case highlights the importance of ethical conduct among attorneys and the potential consequences of engaging in illegal activities.
Looking ahead, it is unclear if Chen will appeal the decision or if any related cases are pending. However, the ruling reinforces the legal community's responsibility to adhere to ethical standards and the severe consequences for those who violate them. The court's decision serves as a reminder that attorneys must uphold the law and act in the best interests of their clients and the public.