The Trump administration continues its campaign against fraud and announced charges this Thursday against 15 individuals involved in a massive food stamp fraud scheme in Massachusetts. According to prosecutors, this network of illegal immigrants stole approximately $1.4 million from taxpayers.
Of the 15 individuals involved in the legal case, 11 are undocumented immigrants living under stolen identities that they used to plunder these social programs intended for U.S. citizens. The fraud was carried out through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, which are food stamps provided by the government), MassHealth Medicaid, Social Security disability, and other federal and state benefits.
"These cases highlight a broader and deeply concerning pattern: the exploitation of the U.S. safety net by illegal immigrants," said Deputy Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which led the investigation.
Arrest, prosecution, and subsequent deportation
"The fraud committed by illegal immigrants carries real and substantial costs for U.S. taxpayers and places enormous pressure on our public benefit systems. The Fraud Division remains rigorously focused on eradicating fraud—whether committed by illegal aliens or anyone else—and on recovering the money unjustly taken from the American people," McDonald stated.
