The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Wednesday aimed at cracking down on illegal immigrants accused of committing welfare fraud, approving the measure over strong opposition from most Democrats.
Lawmakers voted 231-186 to pass the Deporting Fraudsters Act, with 186 Democrats voting against it. The bill was introduced by Rep. David Taylor, R-Ohio, Fox News reported.
The legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly classify fraud involving public benefits as a deportable offense. Republicans said the measure is designed to ensure that noncitizens who defraud taxpayer-funded programs are removed from the country and barred from returning.
“If you admit to or you’re convicted of fraudulently receiving public benefits, you are out of here on the next plane and can never return,” Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said during debate on the House floor.
Democrats largely opposed the bill, arguing that existing law already allows for the deportation of noncitizens convicted of fraud. They characterized the legislation as unnecessary and duplicative.
“Another week, another redundant and completely unnecessary immigration crime bill,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said. Democrats also raised concerns about due process, arguing the bill could allow for deportation before a criminal conviction is secured. They warned that such a provision could prevent alleged victims from having their cases heard in court.
“By bypassing the conviction requirement, this legislation would hand a liberal get-out-of-jail free card to immigrants who commit fraud by deporting them without going through the criminal justice system and giving their victims a day in court,” Raskin said.
Republicans pushed back on that claim, saying the bill does not prevent criminal prosecution before removal and maintains existing legal processes. GOP lawmakers argued that the measure strengthens enforcement by closing perceived loopholes.
The bill faces long odds in the Senate, where it is expected to encounter significant Democratic opposition. Most legislation in the chamber requires 60 votes to advance.
The vote comes amid increased scrutiny by House Republicans into alleged welfare fraud schemes. In December, the House Oversight Committee launched an investigation into fraud involving Minnesota’s social services programs.
Federal prosecutors have said that up to $9 billion in taxpayer funds may have been stolen through various fraud schemes, with nearly 100 individuals charged. Some of those cases have drawn national attention.
Republicans have also pointed to reporting from independent journalist Nick Shirley, who has investigated alleged daycare fraud in Minnesota and California. GOP lawmakers cited those findings as evidence of systemic issues requiring legislative action.
“We have already seen why action is needed,” Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said during a House GOP leadership news conference. “Independent journalist Nick Shirley helped expose a massive fraud scheme, showing how organized and widespread these scams can become even when oversight fails,” she said.