Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8225
Sponsor: Rep. Mucarsel-Powell, Debbie [D-FL-26]
Introduced: 2020-09-11 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Assault and harassment offenses
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-11
text: 

Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2020

 
This bill prohibits certain types of fraud or misrepresentations related to immigration matters, provides for criminal penalties for such actions, and contains related provisions.
 
Specifically, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if that person knowingly executes a scheme related to immigration laws to (1) defraud another, or (2) receive anything of value from another based on false pretenses or representations. Such a person shall be subject to additional criminal penalties if that person (1) threatens to report another to federal or state authorities, (2) takes actions or makes attempts to adversely impact another's immigration status, or (3) demands or retains anything of value for services fraudulently performed or not performed.
 
Similarly, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if the person knowingly and falsely claims to be an attorney or an accredited representative in any matter arising under the immigration laws. (An accredited representative is an individual authorized by the Executive Office of Immigration Review to represent clients in certain immigration matters.)
 
The bill provides for longer terms of imprisonment for a person who causes a cumulative loss of more than $10,000 through actions prohibited under this bill. 
 
The Department of Justice shall establish at least 15 Special U.S. Attorney positions to enforce these provisions and take other actions related to enforcement and protecting consumers from fraudulent immigration schemes.

action_date: 2020-10-01
text: 

Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2020

 
This bill prohibits certain types of fraud or misrepresentations related to immigration matters, provides for criminal penalties for such actions, and contains related provisions.
 
Specifically, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if that person knowingly executes a scheme related to immigration laws to (1) defraud another, or (2) receive anything of value from another based on false pretenses or representations. Such a person shall be subject to additional criminal penalties if that person (1) threatens to report another to federal or state authorities, (2) takes actions or makes attempts to adversely impact another's immigration status, or (3) demands or retains anything of value for services fraudulently performed or not performed.
 
Similarly, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if the person knowingly and falsely claims to be an attorney or an accredited representative in any matter arising under the immigration laws. (An accredited representative is an individual authorized by the Executive Office of Immigration Review to represent clients in certain immigration matters.)
 
The bill provides for longer terms of imprisonment for a person who causes a cumulative loss of more than $10,000 through actions prohibited under this bill. 
 
The Department of Justice shall establish at least 15 Special U.S. Attorney positions to enforce these provisions and take other actions related to enforcement and protecting consumers from fraudulent immigration schemes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5149-5150)
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8225.
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5149-5151)
action_date: 2020-10-01
text: Ms. Bass moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 433.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-533.
action_date: 2020-09-24
text: Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 116-533.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-09-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-09-11
text: Introduced in House