Legislation Would Hold Phony Child Care Providers Accountable, Ensure Non-Citizen Fraudsters Are Deported
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John Kennedy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) today introduced the Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity (Stop Fraud by SOMALIA) Act, which would strengthen penalties for child care providers who commit fraud and impose immigration consequences on fraudulent child care providers who are not U.S. citizens, making them inadmissible and deportable:
“The Minnesota scandal has exposed a deep-rooted, morally bankrupt fraud empire, and it is clear more must be done to rid our nation of these heinous criminals,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I applaud President Trump for his efforts to end this corruption, and I’m proud to take it a step further with the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act, which would ensure these consequences are enshrined into law before any more funds are misused or sent overseas to fund American-hating terrorist networks like we saw in now-disgraced Governor Walz’s state.”
“Americans are the most generous people in the world. That’s why I was so disgusted when I saw scammers, mostly members of Minnesota’s Somali community, take advantage of the American people’s kindness and rob them blind under the guise of ‘child care.’ I’m proud to support the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act, which will crack down on these vile crimes and tackle fraud head-on,” said Sen. Kennedy.
“Americans are the most generous people in the world. That’s why I was so disgusted when I saw scammers, mostly members of Minnesota’s Somali community, take advantage of the American people’s kindness and rob them blind under the guise of ‘child care.’ I’m proud to support the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act, which will crack down on these vile crimes and tackle fraud head-on,” said Sen. Kennedy.
“Families deserve to know what their taxpayer dollars are being used for. What we’ve seen in Minnesota, where federal dollars meant to support children are being fraudulently used, is outrageous and those at fault must be held responsible,” said Sen. Scott. “The Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act delivers accountability by permanently barring bad actors who steal public funds from receiving federal support and by strengthening oversight to ensure these programs serve children, not criminals. I’ll keep fighting to protect hardworking families and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
“Taxpayer-funded, Somalian-run ‘child care centers’ in Minnesota are one of the biggest scandals in American taxpayer history,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Governor Tim Walz is 100% responsible for this disaster. He welcomed Somalian illegals to Minnesota, handed them billions in taxpayer dollars, and then refused to ask basic questions about where the money was going. It’s beyond embarrassing and should NEVER be allowed to happen in this country. Congress needs to pass the SOMALIA Act to ensure this is the last time taxpayers have to foot the bill for illegal operations like we have seen in Minnesota.”
Background:
The Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity (Stop Fraud by SOMALIA) Act would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to impose strict penalties on child care providers who commit fraud, including:
The Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity (Stop Fraud by SOMALIA) Act would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to impose strict penalties on child care providers who commit fraud, including:
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Mandatory permanent debarment from all federally funded child care assistance programs;
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Repayment of misspent funds;
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And required referral for federal criminal investigations.
The bill would also require states to enforce these bans and prevent providers from evading debarment through restructuring or name change.
Lastly, the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act would impose immigration consequences on child care providers who are not U.S. citizens and are involved in fraud or terrorism-related activity, making them inadmissible and deportable, barring them from asylum, adjustment of status, and subjecting them to mandatory detention and expedited removal.
Lastly, the Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act would impose immigration consequences on child care providers who are not U.S. citizens and are involved in fraud or terrorism-related activity, making them inadmissible and deportable, barring them from asylum, adjustment of status, and subjecting them to mandatory detention and expedited removal.
