Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 1958
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Immigration
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-03-19: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T23:26:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 aims to strengthen immigration enforcement by making non-citizens (aliens) who commit fraud against the U.S. government or unlawfully receive public benefits ineligible to enter the country and subject to removal (deportation). It targets specific crimes to protect public resources and ensure accountability under immigration law.

Key Provisions

Inadmissibility Grounds: Adds a new category (subparagraph J) to Section 212(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This makes non-citizens inadmissible if they have been convicted of, admitted to, or committed acts constituting:
Violations of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (under the Food and Nutrition Act).
Fraud involving Social Security account numbers or cards (under the Social Security Act).
Theft or bribery in federally funded programs (18 U.S.C. § 666).
Fraud related to identification documents (18 U.S.C. § 1028).
Major fraud against the U.S. (18 U.S.C. § 1031).
Mail fraud or other fraud offenses (18 U.S.C. Chapter 63).
Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. (18 U.S.C. § 371).
Any other offense involving defrauding the U.S. government or unlawfully receiving federal, state, or local public benefits (as defined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996).
Conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses.
Deportability Grounds: Adds a parallel category (subparagraph G) to Section 237(a)(2) of the INA, applying the same offenses to make non-citizens already in the U.S. deportable.
Bar on Immigration Relief: Non-citizens falling under these new grounds are ineligible for any form of immigration relief, including asylum, cancellation of removal, or other protections under the INA or related laws (e.g., the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Expands the INA's lists of crimes triggering inadmissibility and deportability by explicitly including fraud-related offenses against government programs and benefits, which were not previously detailed in these sections.
Broadens coverage to include admissions of guilt (not just convictions) and conspiracies, closing potential loopholes.
Introduces a blanket ineligibility for relief, overriding discretionary options that might have been available under prior law for similar crimes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Enhances tools for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prioritize deportations, potentially increasing caseloads but streamlining processes for fraud cases. May require updates to training and databases for enforcement.
On Citizens and Taxpayers: Protects federal, state, and local public benefit programs (e.g., SNAP, Social Security) from fraud, potentially reducing financial losses to public funds.
On Non-Citizens: Increases risks for immigrants or visa holders involved in benefit fraud, leading to higher deportation rates and barriers to legal status. Could deter unlawful benefit claims but may affect families or communities with mixed immigration status.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this is a domestic policy focused on U.S. immigration enforcement; however, it could influence bilateral agreements on fraud investigations with other countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Non-Citizen Immigrants: Primary targets, including lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and undocumented individuals convicted of or admitting to specified fraud offenses.
U.S. Government Agencies: DHS, ICE, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for enforcement; agencies administering benefits (e.g., USDA for SNAP, Social Security Administration) for coordination on fraud detection.
Taxpayers and Benefit Recipients: Indirect beneficiaries through safeguards on public funds; eligible citizens or legal residents may face stricter program integrity checks.
Immigrant Advocacy Groups: Likely to oppose due to expanded deportation powers, affecting legal aid and community support services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal Implications: Reinforces immigration law by aligning it more closely with criminal statutes on fraud, potentially leading to more consistent application in courts. The inclusion of "admissions" could raise due process concerns in removal proceedings, requiring proof of voluntary statements.
Constitutional Implications: Falls within Congress's broad authority over immigration (plenary power doctrine), with no apparent conflicts to equal protection or due process under the Fifth Amendment, as it targets criminal conduct rather than status alone. However, challenges could arise if applied retroactively or disproportionately.
Political Implications: Signals a tougher stance on immigration fraud, appealing to priorities of fiscal responsibility and rule of law. It may fuel debates on balancing enforcement with humanitarian relief, especially amid ongoing discussions on public benefits and border security.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2]

Cosponsors (34)

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Onder, Robert [R-MO-3], Rep. Messmer, Mark [R-IN-8], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Recent Actions

2026-03-19: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
2026-03-18: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-03-18: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 94). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2568) (Roll call 94)
2026-03-18: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 94). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2568) (Roll call 94)
2026-03-18: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2582-2583)
2026-03-18: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1958, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-03-18: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-03-18: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1958.
2026-03-18: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-03-18: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1115. (consideration: CR H2568-2576)
2026-03-16: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1115 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958 and H.R. 4638. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 556, H.R. 1958, and H.R. 4638 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-01-27: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 400.
2026-01-27: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-467.
2026-01-27: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-467.
2026-01-13: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.

Bill Versions

Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (8 pages)
Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-06 — PDF (3 pages)
Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-19 — PDF (7 pages)
Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (8 pages)