Sen. Hagerty Introduces FENCE Act to Strip Tax-Exempt Status From Groups Aiding Undocumented Immigrants
The FENCE Act was introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Finance. It is in the early stages of the lawmaking process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
This is a partisan bill that faces significant opposition from humanitarian and civil rights groups. It is currently sitting in a committee where many similar bills never move forward.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Undocumented immigrants who currently rely on non-profit organizations for food, shelter, legal aid, medical care, and other services could see those resources dry up. If non-profits fear losing their tax-exempt status, many may stop serving undocumented individuals altogether, even those the bill does not specifically target, creating a broad chilling effect on aid to this population.
“which does not engage in a pattern or practice of providing financial assistance, benefits, services, or other material support to individuals which such corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation knows or reasonably should know to be unlawfully present in the United States.”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Reporting on an Associated Press dispatch, the article details the FENCE Act's proposal to revoke tax exemptions for nonprofits. It notes that religious leaders, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, have resisted the move, defending their humanitarian work as essential and protected.
DHS guidelines now bar volunteer groups receiving federal funds from aiding undocumented immigrants. Experts warn this creates a 'chilling effect' and aligns with legislative efforts like the FENCE Act that target the tax-exempt status of organizations providing humanitarian relief.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
FENCE Act
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