Harris Calls Out Figures Over Deportation Fraud Vote

Congressional candidate Hampton Harris is criticizing Shomari Figures (D-AL-02) after Figures voted against H.R. 1958 Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026, a bill aimed at deporting non-citizens convicted of defrauding public benefit programs.

In a statement, Harris argued the vote carries real consequences for working families, seniors, and low-income households.

“For years, Democrats have tried to brand themselves as the party of the poor and the working class,” Harris said. “But when they had the opportunity to protect taxpayer-funded benefits from fraud and abuse, Shomari Figures voted no. He chose party loyalty over the people he was elected to serve.”

The proposed legislation would make certain non-citizens inadmissible and deportable if they are convicted of fraud involving federal benefits or unlawfully receiving aid.

Harris framed the issue in economic terms, pointing to the strain many households already face.

“Low income households and seniors are already under enormous pressure,” Harris said. “They are trying to survive in an economy where everything costs more and their paycheck does not go nearly as far as it used to. The last thing they need is for benefits meant to help them to be drained by fraud, abuse, and lawbreaking.”

He also cited high-profile fraud cases as a warning sign, referencing recent investigations in Minnesota involving misuse of public funds.

“What happened in Minnesota should outrage every taxpayer in America,” Harris said. “It shows exactly how vulnerable these public programs become when politicians refuse to get serious about fraud. Millions of dollars have already been tied to major fraud scandals there, and common sense tells us that may only be the tip of the iceberg. It is a warning sign for the nation.”

Harris said the vote is especially concerning in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, where poverty rates exceed the national average.

“Shomari Figures needs to explain why it was more important to vote the way he was told by fellow Democrats than to protect the people who elected him,” Harris said. “Why would any member of Congress vote against deporting illegal aliens who commit fraud and take benefits from Americans who are genuinely in need?”

The Republican candidate also questioned whether political pressure influenced the decision.

“Is this because his political survival depends more on insiders and national PAC money than on the people he represents, or even the state he represents?” Harris said. “The people of this district deserve to know whether their congressman is fighting for them, or whether he is voting to satisfy the same national political machine that bankrolls his campaigns. Alabama families deserve a representative who puts them ahead of party bosses, PAC donors, and Washington insiders.”

Harris said the debate reflects broader concerns about government priorities.

“This is about whether government exists to protect the American people or protect a broken system,” Harris said. “If Democrats truly cared about struggling families, they would be fighting to ensure public benefits go to the citizens and lawful residents they were intended to help, not defending a system that allows fraudsters and illegal aliens to steal from the poor. They only seem to want to help low income families when it lines their own pockets.”

Figures’ office has not publicly responded to Harris’ remarks as of press time.

For more information, visit HamptonHarrisforAlabama.com.