Bills · S 3652
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3652Immigration
Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act of 2026
INTRO JAN 15· LAST ACTION JAN 15
READING
10MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters to voters because it aims to significantly crack down on the misuse of public funds intended for welfare programs. If it passes, people convicted of welfare fraud, particularly non-citizens and naturalized citizens, will face much stricter jail sentences and could lose their right to reside in the U.S.
It also creates a dedicated government team to actively pursue and recover money lost to fraud. This could lead to a reduction in welfare fraud and potentially save taxpayer money, but also raises questions about the severity of penalties and their impact on specific populations, particularly the implications of denaturalization for naturalized citizens.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Increases the maximum prison sentence for federal welfare fraud to 15 years and sets minimum sentences (2 years for non-citizens/naturalized citizens, 5 years for fraud over $100,000).
This makes criminal penalties for welfare fraud significantly more severe than current law, aiming for stronger deterrence.
PROVISION 02
Makes non-citizens convicted of fraud deportable and subject to expedited removal, and bars former naturalized citizens (who lost citizenship due to welfare fraud) from re-entering the U.S. for 20 years.
These provisions significantly strengthen the immigration consequences of welfare fraud convictions for non-citizens and naturalized citizens.
PROVISION 03
Allows for the revocation of U.S. citizenship (denaturalization) for naturalized citizens convicted of defrauding the government of public benefits after their naturalization date.
This is a significant consequence, allowing for the removal of citizenship for specific fraud convictions.
PROVISION 04
Establishes a Welfare Fraud Recovery Task Force within the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and recover funds lost to fraud in Federal welfare programs.
This creates a dedicated enforcement body focused solely on addressing and recouping losses from welfare fraud.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes the Task Force to bring civil lawsuits against individuals who commit welfare fraud, seeking civil penalties of $10,000-$20,000, triple damages, and attorney fees, with enhanced penalties for non-citizens.
This provides another avenue, beyond criminal prosecution, to recover funds and penalize fraudsters.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Arkansas
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
97
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 15
Introduced in Senate
JAN 15
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3652
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 15, 2026
Last actionJan 15, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 15, 2026
Senate BillS 3652Immigration
Welfare Fraud Deterrence and Recovery Act of 2026
INTRODUCED JAN 15, 2026· LAST ACTION JAN 15, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
10 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
