Specify defrauding as a cause for inadmissibility or deportation?
States or unlawfully receiving public benefits inadmissible to or deportable from the United States. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act’s Section 212(a)(2) and Section 237(a)(2) to specify that these crimes would make an individual inadmissible or deportable. The bill also mandates that individuals found to be defrauding shall be ineligible for immigration relief, yet it does not prevent individuals from seeking waivers of their inadmissibility. Sponsor: Rep. David Taylor (Republican, Ohio, District 2)
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Opponents say
• "This is another immigration bill that rips a crime from the headlines and makes it a deportable offense without requiring a conviction. This bill is particularly bizarre. It makes the commission of a variety of fraud offenses a deportable offense, without requiring a conviction. But conviction of a fraud offense is already a deportable offense—it is considered a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT) and a specifically enumerated aggravated felony—the conviction of either of which subjects any immigrant to deportation. In the past, the Majority claimed these bills were necessary to resolve ambiguity in the law. But that is not an issue here. Section 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act lists fraud as an aggravated felony—a deportable offense. Even more starkly, we have longstanding Supreme Court precedent from more than 70 years ago that makes it clear that fraud is a CIMT, and therefore a deportable offense." Source: Rep. Jamie Raskin (Democrat, Maryland, District 8), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee
Proponents say
• "The last Administration’s open border policies put our communities at risk and made every state a border state. Under President Trump, Republicans are bringing back common sense. If an illegal alien defrauds the United States or steals benefits from our country’s most vulnerable, it should be a no-brainer that they be permanently removed from the United States. Law-abiding, hard-working Ohioans should not have their tax dollars stolen by illegal aliens who then walk free in our Nation, and I’m proud to champion this bill in the House as Senator Cruz leads the charge in the Senate." Source: Rep. David Taylor (Republican, Ohio, District 2)
• "This important legislation clarifies that illegal aliens convicted of defrauding the United States and its citizens are both deportable and inadmissible. This action comes just two weeks after a significant law enforcement operation in which five foreign nationals illegally in the U.S. were arrested for their involvement in a SNAP skimming scam. At the time of their arrest, authorities found the individuals in possession of 161 stolen SNAP EBT cards. The scam is a clear example of how illegal aliens may exploit U.S. resources at the expense of taxpayers, making the need for this legislation even more urgent." Source: Rep. Mike Kennedy (Republican, Utah, District 3)
- Congressman Taylor Applauds Senate Introduction of Deporting Fraudsters Act (Press Release)
- The Minnesota Welfare Fraud Scandal Explained (The New York Times)
- Fraud scandals and Trump's rhetoric escalate fears in Minnesota's Somali community (PBS News)
- Noncitizens Stole 30% Fewer Welfare Benefits Than Citizens 2013-2024 (Cato Institute)
- Rep. David Taylor’s Largest Donors (OpenSecrets)
