WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07) and Congressman Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Preventing the Repatriation of American Benefits Act in response to the fraud and national security threats exposed across Minnesota's social service programs.
This legislation is designed to ensure that federal assistance remains within the United States by restricting the amount of money noncitizens receiving federal benefits can send abroad. The bill revokes welfare eligibility for non-citizens who send more than $1,000 back to their country annually.
This comes in the wake of reports that at least $9 billion of American taxpayer dollars were siphoned off through fraud schemes in Minnesota. Investigations have revealed that millions of these defrauded dollars were sent overseas, including to the Al-Qaeda linked terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.
"We are done watching our hard-earned money be sent overseas while the programs meant for our own citizens are gutted by fraud," said Rep. Fischbach. "This bill puts a stop to the flow of American dollars out of our country. It is time we prioritize our own communities and ensure money meant for American assistance stays right here at home."
"It was deeply disturbing to learn that millions in stolen Minnesota welfare dollars were sent back to Somalia and landed in the hands of the terrorist group Al-Shabaab," said Rep. Stauber. "Hard-earned Minnesota taxpayer dollars must help our own citizens, not foreign criminals. I'm proud to co-author this legislation with Rep. Fischbach to put an end to the madness and ensure every dollar intended for American families stays in America."
By closing the loopholes that allowed fraud to flourish, this legislation ensures that federal assistance supports vulnerable individuals and families within the United States, rather than funding criminals abroad.
View the bill text here.
