WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – The U.S. House passed H.R. 1958, the Deporting Fraudsters Act, on March 18, 2026, by a 231-186 vote, adding another dividing line in the immigration fight, asking the question: should illegal aliens who commit fraud against the government be deported? The House said yes but most Michigan Democrats said no.

The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make certain noncitizens inadmissible and deportable if they are convicted of, or admit to, fraud against the U.S. government, unlawfully receiving public benefits, or related fraud offenses involving identification documents, federal funds, or similar government programs.

Most Michigan Democrats voted to protect illegal aliens from deportation.

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In Michigan, every Republican voted yes on the legislation. On the Democratic side, every member voted no except Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), who is running for re-election this year and who broke with her party and quietly voted yes without public explanation. Nationally, the vote showed just how far apart the parties remain on immigration enforcement, with 186 Democrats opposing the bill.

Common sense or overreach?

Supporters framed the bill as common sense. According to Fox News’ report on the floor debate, California Rep. Tom McClintock said, “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.”

Democrats argued the bill sweeps too broadly. Fox also reported that Rep. Jamie Raskin said, “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.”

Republicans, however, argue the broader issue is that people who are in the country illegally are already subject to removal, and that fraud involving public benefits or government documents only adds to the case for deportation. From that perspective, the debate is less about whether additional process is warranted after a fraud offense and more about why immigration laws aren’t being enforced in the first place.