U.S. News
Republicans Push Bill Targeting Foreign Fraud Schemes
Clear Facts
- Republicans want convicted foreign-born fraudsters to be deportable and subject to denaturalization.
- Minnesota has seen an increase in public fraud tied to fake daycare centers, especially involving the Somali expat community.
- Biden-era policy changes are cited as making such fraud easier, according to Rep. Buddy Carter.
Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation to make public benefit fraud a deportable offense and enable denaturalization for convicted immigrants.
Ongoing investigations in Minnesota have revealed significant fraud, with fake daycare centers in Minneapolis receiving government funds.
“Long overdue,” says Rep. Carter.
On a recent podcast, Rep. Buddy Carter explained that the bill targets foreign-born offenders, including naturalized citizens, who commit public fraud.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn is sponsoring the effort in the Senate.
According to Carter, “[T]his is something that’s long overdue and something that is very serious that should get the attention of anyone who is involved in any kind of scam, any kind of criminal activity, who happens to be a naturalized citizen or happens to be an immigrant, because this is something that that could result in them actually being deported or denaturalized, and should result in that.”
He added, “This type of fraud is something we cannot tolerate as Americans and particularly as members of Congress. We have a responsibility to protect taxpayers’ money.”
Carter blames Biden administration rule changes for making fraud easier, specifically referencing the elimination of attendance verification for daycare centers receiving federal funds.
He stated, “They scrapped a rule that would require child care centers to at least verify that kids actually attended their facilities and that were receiving federal funds.”
“And this, of course, led to fraud, and it thrived after that.”
It remains uncertain whether the new legislation will receive enough backing to pass the Senate.
Other states have also seen fraud activity, including a recent case in Maine involving over-billed public funds by a Somali-run nonprofit.
Stay informed as Congress considers new measures to protect taxpayer funds and uphold the rule of law.
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