Fedorchak votes to deport criminal fraudsters, protect law enforcement animals

Washington, D.C. -Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today voted in favor of H.R. 1958, the Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026, and H.R. 4638, the Federal Working Animal Protection Act, two bills that strengthen immigration enforcement and protect taxpayers and law enforcement.

"North Dakotans believe in law and order. When someone comes to our country illegally and commits crimes, they should not get to stay here and hide behind loopholes," Fedorchak said. "These bills strengthen existing law, speed up deportations of criminal illegal immigrants, and give federal officials the tools they need to protect our communities."

The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026closes dangerous loopholes that have allowed certain fraud offenses-including Social Security fraud cases-to escape immigration consequences. The bill creates a clear new ground of inadmissibility and removability for criminal aliens who defraud American taxpayers, streamlining the process so adjudicators can more quickly deport offenders.

It also allows an alien's own admission of fraud to trigger deportation, making sure prosecutors cannot shield individuals by avoiding formal convictions. The legislation permanently bars anyone who defrauds the United States from receiving immigration relief, making clear that those who exploit American taxpayers cannot remain in the country indefinitely.

The Federal Working Animal Protection Actprotects America's law enforcement animals by making any alien who harms them inadmissible and removable from the United States. The bill creates a clear new ground of removal for offenses against animals used in law enforcement, streamlining the process so offenders can be held accountable and more quickly deported.

Law enforcement dogs and horses are key partners in securing our borders and protecting the public-from Border Patrol's Horse Units in rugged terrain to CBP detector dogs screening cargo and luggage. This legislation also allows an alien's own admission of harming a working animal to trigger removal, making sure activist prosecutors cannot block consequences by avoiding formal convictions.

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