East Michigan News

Federal prosecutors have revealed details of a criminal case against Haoxiang Gao, a Chinese national accused of voting illegally in the 2024 election. Gao, who attended the University of Michigan, reportedly fled to China using a second passport to avoid prosecution.

Congressman John Moolenaar commented on the situation: "It is disgraceful Haoxiang Gao was able to illegally vote in our state in the first place, and now he will likely never face the consequences of his actions after fleeing the country. Secretary Benson has said for months that she opposes strengthening our nation’s election laws to stop non-citizens from voting. She said the justice system would hold lawbreakers accountable. Now we see that is not the case. This student had his vote counted in our election last November and escaped justice on her watch. Secretary Benson should endorse the SAVE Act and do more to proactively prevent non-citizens from voting."

The SAVE Act proposes requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. It passed in the House with a bipartisan vote earlier this year.

In April, Moolenaar and six GOP colleagues from Michigan urged Secretary Benson to explain her opposition to the SAVE Act following an internal review that identified 15 additional non-citizen voters in Michigan during the 2024 election.

The absence of an extradition treaty between China and the United States means Gao is unlikely to be prosecuted for his alleged illegal voting activities.