H.R. 4435 would prohibit fraudulent schemes involving immigration law, making it a federal crime to falsely represent oneself as an immigration attorney or to threaten retaliation in connection with a fraudulent immigration service. The bill also would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish new district attorneys positions, to enforce the new law, and to publish information about fraudulent immigration schemes.
Because the bill would establish new federal crimes, the government could pursue cases that it otherwise could not prosecute. Using information from the department, CBO expects H.R. 4435 would apply to a relatively small number of people, so any increase in costs for law enforcement, court proceedings, or prison operations would not be significant. Any such costs would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Because people who are prosecuted and convicted under H.R. 4435 could be subject to criminal fines, the federal government might collect additional amounts under the bill. Criminal fines are recorded as revenues, deposited in the Crime Victims Fund, and later spent without further appropriation action. CBO expects that any additional revenues and subsequent direct spending would not be significant because the legislation would probably affect only a small number of cases.
Using information from the department, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would require DOJ to hire 15 district attorneys to enforce the new prohibitions, at an average annual cost of about $180,000 each. After adjusting for the time to hire for those positions, CBO estimates that paying the salaries and benefits of those employees and providing training and administrative support would cost about $4 million annually and $16 million over the 2021‑2026 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
