Cotton Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Migrant Fraud Schemes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
January 15, 2026

Cotton Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Migrant Fraud Schemes

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to crack down on migrants convicted of fraud schemes. The Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act will increase the mandatory minimum sentence for any migrant convicted of fraud.

“Migrants who steal Arkansas taxpayer dollars by committing fraud shouldn’t be let off with just a slap on the wrist. My bill will ensure these criminals face harsher consequences,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act would:

• Impose mandatory minimums for noncitizens convicted of fraud.
• Provide for automatic and expedited deportation for any noncitizens convicted of fraud.
• Expand denaturalization grounds to include welfare fraud post-citizenship.
• Create a federal “Fraud Recovery Task Force” to pursue civil suits, with interest on clawed-back funds and interstate cooperation for state-to-state and international schemes.

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