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Senate Republicans push to deport, denaturalize fraudsters amid Minnesota scandal
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FIRST ON FOX: A cohort of Senate Republicans want to ensure that both illegal immigrants and naturalized U.S. citizens who are convicted of fraud are booted from the country.
The lawmakers, led by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., are pushing new legislation that would modify an existing, decades-old law that underpins immigration policy in the country to either deport or revoke the citizenship of convicted fraudsters.
Their bill, the Fraud Accountability Act, comes on the heels of the ever unfolding Minnesota fraud scandal, where federal prosecutors estimate that up to $9 billion in taxpayer dollars was stolen through a network of fraudulent fronts posing as daycare centers, food programs and health clinics, among others.
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Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and a cohort of congressional Republicans want to boot convicted fraudsters, and denaturalize naturalized citizens, in the wake of the Minnesota fraud scandal. (Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Anyone who comes to the United States and steals from American taxpayers by committing fraud should be deported,» Blackburn said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
«The fraud schemes we have seen in Minnesota and across the country are a betrayal of hardworking American taxpayers, and individuals like the Somali scammers in Minnesota should be subject to both deportation and denaturalization for these crimes,» she continued. «The Fraud Accountability Act would hold these criminals accountable for robbing American taxpayers.»
The situation in Minnesota has become a hot topic on Capitol Hill since lawmakers returned for the new year and the start of a new legislative session this week. In its wake, it torched the political career of Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who lawmakers say oversaw the alleged multibillion-dollar scandal.
MINNESOTA FRAUD HEARING SPARKS IMMIGRATION CLASH AS GOP LAWMAKER SPOTLIGHTS SOMALI WELFARE DATA
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has faced scrutiny in the wake of the state’s fraud scandal. (Alex Kormann/Getty Images)
The legislation would modify the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), a law enacted in the 1950s that governs the country’s immigration laws, including visas, green cards, and citizenship, among several other enforcement matters.
Tweaks to the INA would include making any fraud conviction a deportable offense for non-citizens, mandatory detention of non-citizens convicted of fraud while deportation proceedings are ongoing, and would require automatic denaturalization of naturalized U.S. citizens convicted of fraud.
Notably, the legislation would allow for deportation for fraud convictions at any dollar amount; current law dictates that removal only kicks in if the amount hits $10,000 or higher. It would also effectively allow any court to handle denaturalization proceedings.
CORNYN PUSHES ‘ZERO MERCY’ LAW TO DEPORT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONVICTED OF DEADLY DRUNK DRIVING
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, joined Blackburn’s bill. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
There is also a retroactivity clause, which stretches the denaturalization process for fraud committed on or after Sept. 30, 1996.
Blackburn is joined by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., in the Senate, while a House version of the bill will be introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga.
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Cornyn introduced a similar bill geared toward deporting illegal immigrants, specifically for deadly drunk driving incidents, on Wednesday.
«The rampant and unprecedented fraud uncovered in Minnesota involving Somali-run childcare centers and nonprofits is unconscionable, and Governor Walz’s complete deflection of any responsibility for this massive theft of U.S. taxpayer dollars under his watch is cowardly but unsurprising,» Cornyn said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
senate,politics,minnesota fraud exposed,tim walz
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Maryland woman says TPUSA high school event raised ‘serious concerns,’ says Child Protective Services notified
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A student group affiliated with Turning Point USA is facing criticism for hosting an event at a Maryland high school in December, with one woman saying that Child Protective Services had been notified.
A local community member, who was identified as Nancy, expressed «serious concern» about the December TPUSA-affiliated event at a February 12 board meeting. The woman spoke after a student from the high school who serves as president of the Calvert County Club America.
That student said his group placed restrictions on the event after receiving «hate» online, including restricting access for adults they did not know who were not volunteers or parents of attendees. He also stated that all students who attended had parental permission.
«We have been accused of many things. We have been accused of grooming children … an allegation that a random unnamed man was president of our group and had certain felony charges. I’m the president of the group. I’m 17, I’m a minor. I can’t groom children because I am a child. I don’t have any felony charges or convictions,» the student said, adding an invitation to discuss any questions.
ERIKA KIRK WELCOMES ATTENDEES TO FIRST AMERICAFEST SINCE HUSBAND’S DEATH, ENDORSES JD VANCE FOR PRESIDENT
A woman identified as «Nancy» speaks at a Maryland school board meeting. (Calvert County, Maryland)
The student clarified that CCCA is affiliated with TPUSA but is its own 501(c)(3) organization and is not part of the state’s public school system.
Nancy spoke next, raising her issues with the TPUSA event.
«While community building opportunities for students are important, this event raises serious concerns related to student safety, parental rights, and governance oversight,» the woman stated, claiming that parents and legal guardians were not permitted to attend the event.
«Excluding parents and guardians from a student-focused event creates a lack of transparency and undermines established best practices for youth safety,» she continued, going on to say that such events should be subject to supervision and background checks.
«Students are widely recognized as vulnerable population, they are in critical developmental stages, and especially susceptible to influence,» she added.
DEFIANT TPUSA LEADER WON’T QUIT DESPITE CHAPTER FACING HARASSMENT, HOSTILITY AFTER KIRK ASSASSINATION
«All Board of Education members in this room are mandated reporters under state law, as I am. Based on the circumstances surrounding this event, a report was made to Child Protective Services,» the woman added as she concluded her remarks.
Attendees pray during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Phoenix. (Jon Cherry/AP)
Controversy over the event comes as TPUSA continues to grow its influence on high school and college campuses across the country since the assassination of the group’s founder, Charlie Kirk.
His wife, Erika Kirk, told Fox News’ Shannon Bream in December that the organization intends to resume its normal presence on college campuses in particular.
TURNING POINT USA HOLDS AMERICAFEST CONFERENCE FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION
«We are not afraid,» she said, adding that the TPUSA team will continue to host «Prove Me Wrong»–style debates as part of its campus outreach.
Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, speaks at Turning Point USA’s annual AmericaFest event in Phoenix, Arizona on December 18, 2025. (Jamie Vera/Fox News)
Charlie Kirk was assassinated during an outdoor event on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. The gathering marked the first stop on TPUSA’s planned «American Comeback Tour,» and at first, nothing appeared out of the ordinary.
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The charismatic TPUSA founder rose to prominence through his signature political debates on college campuses. Moments before the fatal shot, he sat beneath a white tent emblazoned with the slogan «Prove Me Wrong,» fielding open-mic questions from thousands in attendance.
Fox News’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
education,maryland,politics,charlie kirk
INTERNACIONAL
Rafael Grossi propuso una reestructuración profunda de la ONU: “Necesita menos grasa y más músculo”
El candidato argentino a secretario general de las Naciones Unidas, Rafael Grossi, defendió una profunda reestructuración del organismo que requiere “menos gordura y más músculo”, y expresó que le resulta “muy doloroso” que Brasil haya decidido apoyar a otra candidata en lugar de respaldar su postulación.
“El proceso evolucionará y tal vez, en algún momento, yo tenga ese apoyo del Brasil”, dijo Grossi, actual director general del Organismo Internacional de Energía Atómica (OIEA), en una entrevista con el diario brasileño Folha de São Paulo al margen de la Conferencia de Seguridad de Múnich.
Brasil ha decidido apoyar la candidatura de la ex presidenta chilena Michelle Bachelet para liderar la ONU, alineándose con otros gobiernos de izquierda en la región, mientras que el presidente argentino Javier Milei respalda a Grossi. Esta división refleja las tensiones políticas en América Latina, aunque el diplomático argentino rechazó que su candidatura tenga un sesgo ideológico.
“Yo no soy un candidato de derecha, soy un funcionario internacional independiente”, afirmó Grossi. “O sea, la Argentina no está presentando su ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, un amigo del presidente Javier Milei. Tengo una trayectoria de 40 años en la diplomacia, gran parte de ella muy próxima de Brasil”.
El argentino, de 63 años, busca suceder al portugués António Guterres en uno de los momentos más desafiantes para la organización desde su creación en el posguerra. La ONU enfrenta cuestionamientos sobre su relevancia y atraviesa una crisis financiera sin precedentes, agravada por el recorte de fondos de Estados Unidos.
“Para mí, esta elección es una de las más decisivas en la historia”, señaló Grossi. “Hay una situación internacional marcada por un nivel altísimo de conflictos y fragmentación. Hay enormes dudas, escepticismo y pesimismo en cuanto a la capacidad de las Naciones Unidas de agregar valor. Dicen: ‘¿Para qué sirve? ¿Para qué existe?’ Algunos inclusive afirman que es una fuerza negativa”.
Ante este panorama, el candidato argentino propuso una reestructuración que va más allá de simples recortes presupuestarios. “Menos grasa y más músculo. Es decir, no una ONU raquítica, pequeña, débil, tímida y temerosa”, explicó. “La gente se da cuenta de que una ONU tan apagada tampoco es algo bueno”.
“Hay duplicidad de mandatos innegable. Hay un burocratismo innegable, hay seis, siete, ocho organismos hablando de las mismas cosas —eso también no es viable”, aseveró.
Grossi expresó confianza en su capacidad para reconectar a la ONU con las grandes potencias, particularmente Estados Unidos, que representa más del 22% del presupuesto del organismo. “Los EEUU fueron los que expresaron eso de forma muy clara, retirando recursos de la organización o suspendiendo sus pagos”, dijo. “Pero no veo otros que hayan dicho: ‘No se preocupen, yo pago.’ En la realidad, muchos otros comparten en silencio ese escepticismo”.
Consultado sobre si podría ser el candidato de Donald Trump, Grossi respondió con cautela: “Sería arrogante decir eso. Sería un error por mi parte. Lo espero, lo deseo, del mismo modo que quiero ser el candidato apoyado por todos esos países decisivos”.
Respecto a la reforma del Consejo de Seguridad, uno de los temas más sensibles en la agenda de la ONU, Grossi reconoció la legitimidad de países como Brasil para obtener un asiento permanente, aunque advirtió que el proceso depende de alcanzar “una configuración aceptable para otras regiones”.
El diplomático también abordó la ausencia histórica de mujeres en el cargo máximo de la ONU. “Creo en la igualdad entre el hombre y la mujer. A partir del momento en que hay candidaturas femeninas, el principio de la igualdad entre hombres y mujeres está perfectamente protegido”, afirmó, señalando que bajo su gestión en la OIEA la proporción de mujeres en altos cargos pasó de 28% en 2019 a 53% actualmente.
El argentino también defendió su equilibrio diplomático ante críticas de distintos bandos. “Cada vez que publico algo en el X, los rusos dicen: ‘Él está en las manos de los ucranianos.’ Y los ucranianos dicen: ‘Es un fantoche de Putin’”, ilustró.
El proceso de selección del nuevo secretario general requiere al menos 9 de 15 votos en el Consejo de Seguridad, donde Estados Unidos, China, Rusia, Francia y Reino Unido tienen poder de veto.
Hasta ahora, Grossi y Bachelet son los únicos candidatos formalmente nominados, aunque también suenan como posibles aspirantes la ex vicepresidenta de Costa Rica Rebeca Grynspan, la ecuatoriana María Fernanda Espinosa, la primera ministra de Barbados Mia Mottley, la exsecretaria ejecutiva de la CEPAL Alicia Bárcena y la ex primera ministra de Nueva Zelanda Jacinda Ardern.
Por una regla informal de rotación regional, le correspondería a un latinoamericano suceder a Guterres, cuyo mandato concluye en enero de 2027. La presentación formal de candidatos finaliza el 1 de abril.
Business,Domestic Politics,Corporate Events,South America / Central America,Government / Politics
INTERNACIONAL
Dem governor in deep-red state calls for ICE pullout, triggering clash over enforcement authority
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EXCLUSIVE: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman fired back at Gov. Andy Beshear’s comments on «The View» about pulling ICE out of «every city,» setting up what could become a high-stakes intergovernmental battle over cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
«Every ICE agent should be withdrawn from every city and every community that they’re in. This organization has to be reformed from the top-down. Secretary Noem needs to be fired, and every agent needs to retrained,» Beshear told the ABC talk show, before adding the «body-count of American citizens» should lead to a «pause [to] pull everybody back.»
Coleman, who spoke to Fox News Digital from the sheriff’s office in Daviess County — home of NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and one of several Kentucky jurisdictions that work with ICE — said his take is «not a political one» and that ICE also has the backing of those lawmen he was meeting with after the interview.
«My view as the chief law enforcement officer of this commonwealth, someone that’s carried a badge and a gun, someone that has been a federal prosecutor, [is] that statement that the governor made was absurd,» Coleman said.
TOM HOMAN VOWS TO WORK AROUND NEW DEM VA GOV SPANBERGER’S EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDING ICE COOPERATION
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, left, and Gov. Andy Beshear (Marcus Dorsey/Getty Images; Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
Coleman said the dispute centers on Beshear’s «commentary» versus the reality of which agencies he controls.
The Kentucky State Police fall under Beshear’s authority, but they currently work with ICE. Meanwhile, Coleman’s office works with the state’s 120 county sheriffs’ offices, many of which cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security.
«I don’t want to set up a straw-dog argument because the reality is the collaboration is never going to stop here because those of us who have taken an oath to protect families are going to work with our federal partners,» he said, pointing to recent successes across the Tug Fork River where such collaboration led to the arrests of 650 illegal immigrants in West Virginia.
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As for the legal ramifications of a potential clash between a DHS-aligned attorney general and a governor with opposing objectives, one legal expert said the situation presents an interesting case.
Former Florida federal prosecutor Zack Smith said that while every state’s attorney generalship is slightly different, a governor is an elected constitutional officer, just as sheriffs are, and that neither can tell the other what to do «in most instances.»
«The attorney general can issue opinions of law. He can issue certain advisory opinions about what state law means or requires. But there are very few instances, in Florida at least, where the attorney general can compel another constitutional officer, like sheriffs, to comply with state law.»
«Now, if they violate state law or something like that, obviously, he could then prosecute them, but there’s really not a lot he could do as a practical matter,» he said, adding that Beshear is likely relying on his gubernatorial «bully pulpit» to effect change.
«There are probably limits to what he can do — and keep in mind the 287(g) agreements» in the counties.
«I think this from a practical and policy perspective, this is a very foolish and very dangerous statement by the governor of Kentucky,» he said, pointing to Minnesota chaos bred from similar opposition to ICE operations.
PHILADELPHIA’S THREAT TO PROSECUTE ICE COULD TRIGGER LANDMARK COURT FIGHT OVER AUTHORITY, EXPERTS WARN
Beshear’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Both Beshear and Coleman have served as attorney general — something the governor mentioned on «The View» — but Coleman said Beshear should therefore know that cooperation with federal authorities is preferable to going on offense.
«I’d like to, on one hand, be respectful of my predecessor… [but] anyone who’s spent time in law enforcement… knows that we are more effective at protecting people,» he said, noting that the county he was sitting in has ICE to thank for removing a violent child-sex predator from the streets and that local Owensboro authorities cooperated with a DHS operation to arrest an illegal immigrant who had been financially extorting seniors.
TRUMP DHS HAMMERS DEM GOVERNOR’S PORTAL TO TRACK ICE AGENTS: ‘ENCOURAGES VIOLENCE’
In neighboring Virginia, officials are moving to follow Beshear’s advice by ending state-federal cooperation forged under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin and advancing bills to restrict DHS collaboration.
When asked, Coleman said he does not see Frankfort following Richmond’s lead anytime soon and lamented the loss of several cooperative colleagues in Virginia.
«Fortunately, I don’t have to face that hypothetical here in this Commonwealth, but in our Mother Commonwealth (Virginia), it’s been very concerning. We [also] hated to lose a phenomenal colleague in Jason Miyares,» he added.
DHS also pushed back on Beshear’s position. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said federal law enforcement «will continue arresting criminal illegal aliens across the state of Kentucky while sanctuary politicians like Governor Beshear continue to demonize our law enforcement and side with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.»
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«We need state and local law enforcement engagement and information so we don’t have to have such a presence on the streets,» she said.
She listed several recent arrests in Kentucky, including Roman Sanchez, described as a criminal illegal immigrant convicted of homicide, willful killing of a family member with a gun, larceny, robbery, receiving stolen property and armed street robbery, as well as several individuals convicted of rape.
illegal immigrants,police and law enforcement,kristi noem,governors,kentucky,immigration
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Maryland woman says TPUSA high school event raised ‘serious concerns,’ says Child Protective Services notified
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