Since 2020, $382 million in fraudulent unemployment payments have been uncovered. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) says California, New York, and Massachusetts are responsible for most of it. These three states made up $305 million of the improper claims.
DOGE reported that California alone made up 68% of benefits handed out to parolees on the FBI's terror watchlist or with criminal records. These benefits were paid during Joe Biden’s presidency. All three states are Democrat-led and have full control across major branches of government.
“There’s a reason for the mass exodus from Democrat-run states that have mismanaged their economies and driven residents to the nearest Republican-led state,” said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields. “High taxes, poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars and progressive policies continue to yield negative results, which is why Americans overwhelmingly support the work of DOGE.”
DOGE also flagged tens of thousands of fraudulent payments sent to people with suspicious birthdates. Some were listed as 115 years old. Others were children under 5. Some even had birthdates that haven’t happened yet.
“This is another incredible discovery by the DOGE team, finding nearly $400 million in fraudulent unemployment payments,” said Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “The Labor Department is committed to recovering Americans’ stolen tax dollars. We will catch these thieves and keep working to root out egregious fraud.”
DOGE didn't stop there. The agency also revealed that, under the Biden administration, it became routine to admit immigrants with minimal screening. As a result, more than 6,000 with criminal records or flagged by the FBI entered the U.S.
Some of those individuals received government benefits. DOGE found around $42,000 in unemployment funds went to people on the terror watchlist. They also pulled money from student loan programs, food stamps, and even IRS tax refunds.
Under the Trump administration, parole was cut off for anyone with a criminal history or terror ties. That policy is no longer in place.