FENCE Act

This bill would change federal tax rules for charities. To keep tax‑exempt charity status (501(c)(3)), a group could not repeatedly give money, services, benefits, or other support to people it knows—or reasonably should know—are in the U.S. without legal status. If it does, it could lose eligibility.

It also says groups do not have to check citizenship papers or verify anyone’s immigration status, and religious groups would not be forced to act against their beliefs. The changes would take effect as soon as the bill becomes law.

• Who is affected: Charities and similar nonprofits with tax‑exempt (501(c)(3)) status.
• What changes: Adds a new condition for keeping tax‑exempt status tied to not repeatedly supporting people who are unlawfully present; no requirement to check IDs; protections for religious beliefs.
• When: Effective on the date it becomes law.