,,ii #aai? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cfeb ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,janu>y #ae1 #bjbf,mr4 ,cotton introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ,a ,,bill ,to enhance crim9al p5alties = welf>e fraud1 to provide adequate immigration consequ5ces = fraud convictions1 to e/abli% a welf>e fraud recov]y task =ce1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,welf>e ,fraud ,det]r5ce & ,recov]y ,act ( #bjbf4 #b4 ,enhanc$ crim9al p5alties = welf>e fraud ,section #ajja ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7d7 7#a7 ,9 ?is subsection1 ! t]ms ,f$]al welf>e program & noncitiz5 h ! mean+s giv5 su* t]ms 9 section #d ( ! ,welf>e ,fraud ,det]r5ce & ,recov]y ,act ( #bjbf4 7#b7 ,if a p]son violates subsection 7a7 ) respect to a matt] t relates to a ,f$]al welf>e program-- 7,a7 ! t]m ( imprisonm5t impos$ "u ?is section %all be n m ?an #ae ye>s2 7,b7 if ! def5dant is a noncitiz5 or a naturaliz$ citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! t]m ( imprisonm5t impos$ "u ?is section %all be n less ?an #b ye>s2 & 7,c7 if ! def5dant obta9$ n less ?an #ajj1jjj z a result ( ! conduct 9 violation ( ?is section1 ! t]m ( imprisonm5t impos$ "u ?is section %all be n less ?an #e ye>s4 4 #c4 ,immigration consequ5ces = fraud conviction 7a7 ,re5try b> ,section #bab7;a77#aj7 ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;a77#aj77 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,f7 ,=m] naturaliz$ citiz5s :o 7 remov$ due to a conviction = welf>e fraud ,any ali5 :o has be5 d5aturaliz$ "u section #cdj7;f7 & seeks readmission to ! ,unit$ ,/ates )9 #bj ye>s ( ! date ( su* d5aturalization is inadmissible4 4 7b7 ,deportability ,section #bcg7;a77#b77;,a7 ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abbg7;a77#b77;,a77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ clause 7vi7 z clause 7vii72 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] clause 7v7 ! foll[+3 7vi7 ,fraud ,any ali5 :o is convict$ ( an (f5se prohibit$ "u *apt] #dg ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 or ( any (f5se involv+ fraud by any c\rt 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates is deportable4 4 7c7 ,exp$it$ removal ,section #bch ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #abbh7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ! section head] & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,exp$it$ removal ( any noncitiz5 convict$ ( an aggravat$ felony or any (f5se involv+ fraud42 & 7#b7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ any crim9al (f5se cov]$ 9 section #bda7;a77#b77;,a77iii71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d71 or any (f5se cov]$ by section #bda7;a77#b77;,a77ii7 = :i* bo? pr$icate (f5ses are1 )\t reg>d to ! date ( _! commission1 o!rwise cov]$ by section #bda7;a77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+ any crim9al (f5se describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77iii71 7,a77vi71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d71 ( section #bcg7;a77#b71 or any (f5se describ$ 9 section #bcg7;a77#b77;,a77ii7 = :i* bo? pr$icate (f5ses are1 )\t reg>d to ! date on :i* !y 7 committ$1 o!rwise describ$ 9 section #bcg7;a77#b77;,a77i72 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#b7-- 7i7 by ins]t+ or an (f5se describ$ 9 section #bcg7;a77#b77;,a77vi7 aft] an aggravat$ felony2 & 7ii7 by /rik+ felon & ins]t+ ali52 & 7,c7 9 p>agraph 7#c77;,a71 by /rik+ an aggravat$ felony be=e ! ali5's release f inc>c]ation = ! und]ly+ aggravat$ felony & ins]t+ an aggravat$ felony or an (f5se describ$ 9 section #bcg7;a77#b77;,a77vi7 be=e ! ali5's release f inc>c]ation = ! und]ly+ crime4 7d7 ,d5aturalization = welf>e fraud ,section #cdj ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #adea7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+ subsections 7f71 7g71 & 7h7 z subsections 7g71 7h71 & 7i71 respectively2 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7e7 ! foll[+3 7f7 ,welf>e fraud ,if a p]son :o has be5 naturaliz$ "u ?is *apt] is convict$ ( defraud+ ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t ( a ,f$]al public b5efit 7z def9$ 9 section #dja ( ! ,p]sonal ,responsibility & ,"w ,opportunity ,reconciliation ,act ( #aiif 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #afaa7;c777 or defraud+ a ,/ate or local gov]nm5t ( a ,/ate or local public b5efit 7z def9$ 9 section #daa7;c7 ( su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #afba7;c7771 & any act or acts lead+ to su* conviction or admission began or occurr$ aft] ! date ( 8 or h] naturalization1 ! c\rt 9 :i* su* conviction occurs %all imm$iately-- 7#a7 revoke1 set aside1 & decl>e void ! f9al ord] admitt+ su* p]son to citiz5%ip2 & 7#b7 decl>e c]tificate ( naturalization ( su* p]son to be cancel$4 4 #d4 ,welf>e fraud recov]y task =ce & civil actions = welf>e fraud 7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section-- 7#a7 ! t]m ,f$]al welf>e program-- 7,a7 means a program provid+ a ,f$]al public b5efit 7z def9$ 9 section #dja ( ! ,p]sonal ,responsibility & ,"w ,opportunity ,reconciliation ,act ( #aiif 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #afaa7;c7772 & 7,b7 includes grants "u ! ,*ild ,c>e & ,developm5t ,block ,grant ,act ( #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheg et seq47 & ! ,*ild & ,adult ,c>e ,food ,program "u section #ag ( ! ,ri*>d ,b4 ,russell ,national ,s*ool ,lun* ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agff72 7#b7 ! t]m ,fund means ! ,welf>e ,fraud ,recov]y ,fund e/abli%$ "u subsection 7d77#a72 7#c7 ! t]m noncitiz5 has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m ali5 9 section #aja7;a7 ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a772 & 7#d7 ! t]m ,task ,=ce means ! ,fraud ,recov]y ,task ,=ce e/abli%$ "u subsection 7b74 7b7 ,e/abli%m5t ( ,fraud ,recov]y ,task ,=ce ,! ,attorney ,g5]al1 9 consultation ) ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices1 %all e/abli% )9 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice a ,welf>e ,fraud ,recov]y ,task ,=ce to inve/igate1 prosecute1 & recov] funds lo/ to fraud 9 ,f$]al welf>e programs4 7c7 ,civil suits au?oriz$ 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,task ,=ce may br+ a civil action 9 ! "n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates aga9/ any p]son :o kn[+ly-- 7,a7 submits or causes to be submitt$ a false or fraudul5t claim = paym5t or approval "u a ,f$]al welf>e program2 7,b7 uses or causes to be us$ a false record or /atem5t mat]ial to a false or fraudul5t claim = paym5t or approval "u a ,f$]al welf>e program2 7,c7 conspires to commit a violation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b72 or 7,d7 kn[+ly conceals or improp]ly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or prop]ty to ! ,gov]nm5t relat+ to su* a claim4 7#b7 ,damages & p5alties 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to subp>agraph 7,b71 a p]son engag+ 9 a violation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 is liable to ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t =-- 7i7 a civil p5alty ( n less ?an #aj1jjj & n m ?an #bj1jjj1 :i* %all be adju/$ 9 accordance ) ! ,f$]al ,civil ,p5alties ,inflation ,adju/m5t ,act ( #aiij 7#bh ,u4,s4,c4 #bdfa note72 7ii7 #c times ! am\nt ( damages su/a9$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t because ( ! violation by t p]son2 & 7iii7 ! co/s ( ! civil action1 includ+ reasonable attorney fees4 7,b7 ,enhanc$ p5alties = noncitiz5s ,if ! p]son engag+ 9 conduct describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 is a noncitiz51 9 addition to ! am\nt impos$ "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! c\rt %all impose a civil p5alty equal to #b times ! am\nt ( damages su/a9$ by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t because ( ! violation by t p]son1 plus int]e/ at ! rate specifi$ 9 section #cgag ( title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#c7 ,/atute ( limitations ,an action "u ?is subsection may be br\ght n lat] ?an ! lat] (-- 7,a7 #ae ye>s aft] ! date on :i* ! conduct describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 is committ$2 or 7,b7 #c ye>s aft] ! date :5 facts mat]ial to ! cause ( action are kn[n or reasonably %\ld h be5 kn[n by ! (ficial ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates *>g$ ) responsibility to act 9 ! circum/ances4 7#d7 ,burd5 ( pro( ,9 any action br\ght "u ?is subsection1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all be requir$ to prove all ess5tial elem5ts ( ! cause ( action1 includ+ damages1 by a prepond]ance ( ! evid5ce4 7#e7 ,:i/lebl[] protections & rew>ds ,any individual :o provides in=mation lead+ to a successful recov]y "u ?is subsection %all be entitl$ to-- 7,a7 ! protections "u section #cgcj7;h7 ( title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 t apply ) respect to actions to /op a violation ( *apt] #cg ( su* title2 & 7,b7 a rew>d ( n less ?an #ae p]c5t & n m ?an #cj p]c5t ( ! am\nt recov]$1 z det]m9$ by ! ,task ,=ce4 7d7 ,use ( recov]$ funds 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re is e/abli%$ 9 ! ,treasury ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates a fund1 to be kn[n z ! ,welf>e ,fraud ,recov]y ,fund4 7#b7 ,cr$it+ & use ( am\nts ,am\nts recov]$ "u ?is section-- 7,a7 %all be deposit$ into ! ,fund2 7,b7 %all rema9 available until exp5d$2 & 7,c7 %all be available to ! ,secret>y ( ,heal? & ,human ,s]vices )\t fur!r appropriation-- 7i7 to reimburse a ,f$]al welf>e program = losses due to fraud2 & 7ii7 = ! co/ ( inve/igations & prev5tion measures by ! ,task ,=ce4 7e7 ,int]/ate & cross-,bord] coop]ation = fraud s*emes 7#a7 ,int]/ate coop]ation 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,task ,=ce %all facilitate coop]ation among ,/ates = ! inve/igation1 prosecution1 & recov]y ( funds relat$ to fraud 9 ,f$]al welf>e programs t involve activities cross+ ,/ate l9es1 includ+ ! submission ( false claims1 ! op]ation ( fraudul5t entities1 or ! transf] ( funds across ,/ate b\nd>ies4 7,b7 ,in=mation %>+ ,! ,task ,=ce may ent] into memor&a ( und]/&+ ) ,/ate attorneys g5]al1 ,/ate welf>e ag5cies1 & o!r relevant ,/ate entities to %>e in=mation1 includ+ b5efici>y records1 audit f9d+s1 & f9ancial transaction data1 subject to applicable privacy protections "u section #eeb;a ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly kn[n z ! ,privacy ,act ( #aigd71 & o!r ,f$]al laws4 7,c7 ,jo9t inve/igations & en=cem5t ,! ,task ,=ce may coord9ate jo9t inve/igations ) ,/ates1 includ+ ! issuance ( jo9t subpo5as1 se>* w>rants1 & asset freezes4 ,a ,/ate p>ticipat+ 9 a jo9t inve/igation %all be entitl$ to a %>e ( funds 9 connection ) ! jo9t inve/igation1 n to exce$ #bj p]c5t ( ! total am\nt recov]$1 z det]m9$ by ! ,task ,=ce bas$ on ! level ( coop]ation provid$4 7,d7 ,compliance requirem5t 7i7 ,9 g5]al ,a ,/ate receiv+ ,f$]al funds "u a ,f$]al welf>e program %all coop]ate ) a reque/ = in=mation or assi/ance f ! ,task ,=ce4 7ii7 ,failure to comply ,if a ,/ate fails to comply ) a reque/ = in=mation or assi/ance f ! ,task ,=ce1 ! head ( ea* ag5cy adm9i/]+ a ,f$]al welf>e program may )hold n m ?an #aj p]c5t ( ! am\nts t w\ld o!rwise be provid$ to ! ,/ate "u ! ,f$]al welf>e program until ! ,/ate complies ) ! reque/4 7#b7 ,cross-bord] coop]ation 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,task ,=ce1 9 coord9ation ) ! ,attorney ,g5]al & ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 %all pursue inve/igations & recov]ies = fraud s*emes involv+ int]national elem5ts1 includ+ ! transf] ( funds to =eign jurisdictions1 p>ticipation by =eign nationals1 or ! use ( int]national f9ancial networks4 7,b7 ,use ( int]national agreem5ts ,! ,task ,=ce may utilize mutual legal assi/ance treaties1 extradition treaties1 & o!r int]national agreem5ts to reque/ assi/ance f =eign gov]nm5ts & int]national organizations1 su* z ! ,f9ancial ,action ,task ,=ce & ! ,int]national ,crim9al ,police ,organization 7commonly kn[n z ,,int]pol71 includ+ ! freez+ & seizure ( assets1 ! extradition ( individuals1 & ! %>+ ( f9ancial records4 7,c7 ,asset recov]y ,9 cases :]e fraudul5t proce$s are transf]r$ to =eign acc\nts or entities1 ! ,task ,=ce may initiate civil =feiture proce$+s "u section #iha ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 or seek repatriation ( assets ?r\gh diplomatic *annels4 ,am\nts recov]$ "u ?is subp>agraph %all be deposit$ into ! ,fund4 7,d7 ,report+ ,! ,task ,=ce %all submit to ,congress an annual report on inve/igations & recov]ies describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 includ+ ! numb] ( reque/s made to =eign gov]nm5ts & ! am\nts recov]$4 7,e7 ,inc5tives ,! ,secret>y ( ,/ate1 9 consultation ) ! ,task ,=ce1 may inc5tivize coop]ation by =eign gov]nm5ts ?r\gh conditions on =eign assi/ance f ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 7#c7 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ su* sums z are necess>y to c>ry out ?is subsection1 includ+ = p]sonnel1 te*nology1 & int]national liaison activities4