WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) today celebrated the passage of his bill, H.R. 1958, The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026, through the House of Representatives by a vote of 231-186. This bill will hold illegal aliens accountable for their actions by making the act of defrauding the United States government or stealing benefits intended for U.S. taxpayers a deportable offense, and making illegal aliens who commit or admit to committing this crime ineligible to re-enter the U.S.
“It’s a no-brainer – if an illegal alien defrauds the United States or steals benefits from our nation’s most vulnerable, they should be permanently removed from our country,” said Congressman Taylor. “Ohioans work too hard to have their tax dollars and benefits stolen by illegal aliens who shouldn’t even be here in the first place. My Deporting Fraudsters Act will bolster the Trump Administration’s efforts to do just that, and today I’m proud to see it take one step closer toward becoming law.”
Congressman Taylor spoke on the House Floor twice this week in support of his Deporting Fraudsters Act. His remarks supporting the rule on the bill are available here, and his remarks urging colleagues to vote in support of the bill are available here.
“The number of illegal aliens committing fraud against Americans is ridiculous. Congressman Taylor’s Deporting Fraudsters Act will ensure that foreign nationals defrauding American taxpayers and the country’s immigration system are held accountable,” said Chairman Jim Jordan (OH-04) of the House Judiciary Committee.
“Americans who meet eligibility requirements should be the only ones to receive taxpayer-funded benefits. Under the Biden administration’s border policies, abuse of these programs by illegal aliens increased. This bill will stem that abuse. I am pleased to see the House pass it, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to do the same and send it to the President to become law,” said Senator Cruz.
“Illegal aliens who falsify documents, steal identities, and cheat the system to gain public benefits meant for American citizens, including SNAP or Medicaid, should unquestionably be deported. By ensuring any illegal alien who defrauds the U.S. government can be removed from our country, this commonsense legislation would end the America-last policies of Joe Biden and rightfully put Americans first,” said Senator Cornyn.
“For too long, illegal aliens have taken advantage of and burdened our bloated welfare system, contributing to waste, fraud, and abuse. By some estimates, these individuals receive $42 billion in public benefits every year. This bill will ensure that illegal aliens who steal the tax dollars of hardworking Americans are subject to deportation,” said Senator Lee. “It is more important than ever to ensure that public benefits are focused on U.S. citizens and legal residents. Those who invade our country and then abuse our generosity through fraud and theft should be promptly deported.”
“The Deporting Fraudsters Act is a common-sense bill,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Anyone illegally in the U.S. who steals taxpayer dollars through fraud has no place here. Shockingly, the list of crimes that make an alien deportable does not explicitly include defrauding the United States. It’s time to get serious about protecting our nation and closing any vulnerabilities.”
“American taxpayers should not be forced to bankroll fraud committed by people who are in this country illegally,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “When illegal aliens defraud the federal government or steal taxpayer-funded benefits, deportation should be the consequence. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I am working to protect taxpayer dollars and uphold the rule of law. This bill puts American citizens and legal residents first.”
“Illegal aliens who defraud taxpayers should not be allowed to remain in our country,” Congressman Schmidt said. “The Biden-era border crisis affected every community in our country and cost American taxpayers enormous sums of money. I’m proud to join my colleagues in sponsoring this legislation, which is another important step in undoing the damage done during the four years of the previous administration.”
“American taxpayers are sick of footing the bill for illegal immigrants gaming the system and tired of the waste, fraud, and abuse,” said Congresswoman Mace. “If you broke into our country and are stealing from our government, you ought to be deported. This bill puts American workers first and stops the insanity of rewarding criminals with a free ride on the taxpayers’ dime.”
“Our taxpayer dollars are already being wasted by the swamp,” said Congressman Gill. “It should be common sense for any illegal alien that defrauds our nation with stolen taxpayer funds to be deported without hesitation. I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Dave Taylor’s bill to protect our national sovereignty.”
“Being in the United States illegally is a crime, and so is fraud. Combining the two should leave no gray area,” said Congressman Haridopolos. “The Deporting Fraudsters Act is common-sense legislation that restores accountability, protects taxpayer dollars, and ensures those who blatantly ignore our laws are removed from our country.”
“Programs like Medicare and Social Security are vital taxpayer-funded programs and must be safeguarded against fraud. Illegal immigrants who fraudulently enroll and exploit these programs must be held accountable for their crimes,” said Congressman Feenstra. “That’s why I’m glad to support Rep. Dave Taylor’s legislation to ensure that illegal immigrants who defraud taxpayers are deported and never allowed back into our country. I will always protect Iowa taxpayers from fraud and honor our promise to Iowa seniors and workers that they receive the benefits they have earned.”
“If you come into our country illegally and steal from American taxpayers, you should not be allowed to stay here,” said Congresswoman Luna. “The Deporting Fraudsters Act closes a dangerous loophole by making benefit fraud and the theft of public funds a deportable offense. In light of the abuses that have come to light in Minnesota, this legislation is vital to protecting taxpayers and holding fraudsters accountable.”
“The Deporting Fraudsters Act makes it clear that illegal immigrants who commit fraud or exploit the welfare system will be held accountable and removed,” said Congressman Bost. “This is about protecting taxpayers and making sure our system works for American citizens in need.”
“Illegal alien fraudsters are draining taxpayer dollars and taking benefits from American citizens,” said Congressman Carter. “I proudly co-sponsored the Deporting Fraudsters Act because it’s common sense: if you steal from the United States and the most vulnerable in our society, you have no right to be here. I applaud the leadership of Rep. Taylor for working to protect American citizens against waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Background
Recent reports from the White House Office of Management and Budget estimate that the federal government spends over $1 trillion in welfare and social service programs every year. They also estimate that between $233 billion and $521 billion is lost to fraud each year. In Minnesota, over half of the $18 billion of federal funds allocated to social services, including Medicaid, has been stolen. In California, $181 million was lost to EBT fraud. And in New York, a $120 million Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme was uncovered. The Deporting Fraudsters Act will remove illegal aliens from the United States caught committing these types of fraud and ensure the proper usage of taxpayer benefits.
Congressman Taylor initially introduced this bill in the House of Representatives on March 6, 2025. He was joined by Representatives Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Bob Onder (MO-03), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Bob Latta (OH-05), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Brandon Gill (TX-26), John Rose (TN-06), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), and Brad Finstad (MN-01). Representatives Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Mike Bost (IL-12), Mary Miller (IL-15), Barry Moore (AL-01), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Thomas Tiffany (WI-07), and August Pfluger (TX-11) additionally joined as cosponsors of this legislation.
Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a Senate companion bill on November 7, 2025.
The Deporting Fraudsters Act passed through the House Judiciary Committee on January 13, 2026, by a vote of 15-11.
Specifically, this bill will:
Make the act of defrauding the United States government or stealing taxpayer dollars intended for U.S. citizens, or admitting to such crimes (such as SNAP or Social Security benefits), a deportable and inadmissible offense; andPrevent aliens who defraud the United States from being eligible to receive any other benefits.
The full bill text for the Deporting Fraudsters Act is available here.
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