Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act

The Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act would expand immigration enforcement by making noncitizens (aliens) who are convicted of, or admit to, social security fraud or identification document fraud automatically ineligible for admission to the United States and deportable. In addition to existing fraud-related grounds, the bill adds a new category called “covered COVID offenses,” which covers fraud involving COVID-19 relief loans or grants. In practical terms, a noncitizen who is convicted of, or even admits to, certain types of SSN/ID fraud—or to acts that constitute the essential elements of a covered COVID offense—would face immediate inadmissibility and potential removal from the United States. The bill defines covered COVID offenses with specific references to several COVID-relief loan and grant programs. The bill would be implemented by amending two provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act: (a) inadmissibility under section 212(a)(2) and (b) deportability under section 237(a)(2), adding new subparagraphs tied to social security/identification fraud and to covered COVID offenses. It also explicitly covers conspiracies to commit these offenses.