David Taylor introduced the measure, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify fraud as a deportable offense explicitly. While unlawful entry into the United States is already grounds for removal, supporters of the bill argue the change would strengthen enforcement in cases involving large-scale fraud.

The legislation follows heightened scrutiny over fraud cases in Minnesota, where federal prosecutors have alleged that billions of dollars may have been improperly obtained through schemes involving organizations posing as food programs, health clinics, and daycare centers.

“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-CA) said on the House floor. “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.”

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) said during a House GOP conference: “We have already seen why action is needed. Independent journalist Nick Shirley helped expose a massive fraud scheme, showing how organized and widespread these scams can become even when oversight fails.”

Again, most Democrats voted against the measure, with several of them offering lame excuses for not supporting it, including one of the most left-wing members of the caucus, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

“Another week, another redundant and completely unnecessary immigration crime bill,” he said this week despite the fact that federal and state investigators in Minnesota, California, and other states have turned up numerous examples of fraud, with several suspects already convicted.

“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 added.

Republicans countered by pointing out the obvious: The legislation does not include language precluding prosecutions and jail time before convicted illegal aliens are summarily removed from the country.

In January, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer held a hearing on the issue of massive fraud in Minnesota, which he blamed on the Democrats who run that state, including Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. He said in his opening statement:

Today, the House Oversight Committee is holding its first hearing on the massive fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. Minnesota’s social services – which are funded by YOU, the American taxpayer – are being ripped off.

The most vulnerable are suffering as a result. Federal prosecutors estimate these criminals have stolen at least $9 billion. The fraudsters – many of whom are from Minnesota’s Somali community – have stolen from programs meant to feed needy kids, provide services to autistic children, house low-income and disabled Americans, and provide healthcare to vulnerable Medicaid recipients.

Fraudsters like these take millions to enrich themselves while providing nothing, overstating, or outright faking the services.

How many children have gone hungry because fraudsters stole money that was intended to provide them with food? How many autistic children were denied services because fraudsters instead sent this money overseas?

How many low-income seniors, people with disabilities, or those with mental illnesses were denied access to housing because fraudsters drained resources and pocketed the money for themselves? The breadth and depth of this fraud is breathtaking. And I fear it is just the tip of the iceberg.

Democrats have previously opposed other immigration-related measures aimed at tightening enforcement. In one instance last year, 158 House Democrats voted against the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, legislation intended to restrict entry for individuals with records of sex crimes or domestic violence.