2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to increase chain migration with new green cards.
Rep. voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would increase family-based and employment green cards by 50,000 annually for five fiscal years.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end chain migration Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Cosponsored legislation to end chain migration Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 2192, the SECURE Act of 2017. This legislation would amnesty DACA recipients and those illegal aliens eligible for DACA. The legislation would also end chain migration, moderately improve border security, and streamline the sending back of unaccompanied minors who illegally cross the U.S. - Mexico border. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chuck Grassley.

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. H.R. 15, among other negative aspects, would increase chain migration. The amendment failed 15-22.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end the visa lottery Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery in (Smith) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program and transfers the visas to STEM categories. The visa lottery prgram grants 55,000 visa annually on a random basis to new immigrants. The bills sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.). The legislation passed 245-139. (30 Nov. 2012, 11:39 AM).

2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program, and transfers the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year. Further, student visas are reformed by adding a new STEM-based F-Visa subsection. This allows for new F-Visa applicants who are pursuing a degree in a STEM category to apply without the previously necessary intent to retain their residence in their home country. The bill received a vote of 257-158, but failed to pass the House because a 2/3rds vote was required for passage. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

2012: Cosponsored legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Lankford cosponsored H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program, and transfers the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year. Further, student visas are reformed by adding a new STEM-based F-Visa subsection. This allows for new F-Visa applicants who are pursuing a degree in a STEM category to apply without the previously necessary intent to retain their residence in their home country. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to greatly increase unnecessary workers.
Rep. voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would provide a massive surge of cheap labor by handing out 50,000 additional green cards annually for five years, providing amnesty to around 250,000 dependents of H1B aliens who would otherwise age out, and granting instant automatic employment authorization to aliens seeking asylum.

2022: Voted against H.R. 2471 to block increases in H-2B and EB-5 visas Sen. Lankford voted against H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.). The legislation authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to double the number of H-2B low-skill, non-agricultural visas for FY2022. Further, the legislation reauthorizes the EB-5 investor visa program. The legislation was signed into law.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on Senate floor Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that would weaken interior enforcement and increase foreign worker visas. The bill reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $431 million. Further, the bill authorized the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to increase the number of H-2B visas issued during the 2021 fiscal year.

2020: Cosponsored S. 3599, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, to increase green cards for doctors and nurses Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 3599, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, introduced by Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.). The legislation would recapture 40,000 green cards that would otherwise go unused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and allow for those green cards to be issued to foreign doctors and nurses with applications submitted within 90 days of the end of the Covid-19 national emergency.

2019: Voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent H-2B increases Sen. Lankford voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, that provides funding for the federal government for FY2020. H.R. 1865 included a provision that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020. Under the same provision, DHS added an additional 30,000 H-2Bs in FY 2019.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill allows for the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of H-2B guest worker visas issued in FY2019.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2017: Voted in favor of increasing foreign worker visas Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 244, the 2017 omnibus spending bill. A provision of the bill allows DHS to raise the H-2B cap by 70,000 in 2017 by excluding returning H-2B workers. The spending bill, and the H-2B provision, covers half of 2017.

2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Spending bill for 2016. This legislation would increase the number of H-2B low-skilled, non-agricultural guest worker visas issued in 2016 from 66,000 to 264,000. The legislation would exempt foreign workers who had received an H-2B visa in any of the past three years from the 2016 cap.

2015: Voted in favor of H.R. 2146 to grant President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Sen. Lankford voted in favor of final passage of Trade Promotion Authority bill, H.R. 2146. (NOTE: in order to pass TPA the House of Representatives split the original bill Senate-passed bill H.R. 1314 into two bills, one dealing with Trade Adjustment Assistance and one dealing with the TransPacific Partnership. As a result, when the legislation came back to the Senate for a final vote, the Senate had to attach the TPA language to another House-originated bill, H.R. 2146 and vote to pass that legislation). This legislation would set up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs. H.R. 2146 passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38.

2015: Voted in favor of granting President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority in 2015 Sen. Lankford voted in favor of final passage of Trade Promotion Authority bill, H.R. 1314. This legislation would set up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs. H.R. 1314 passed the Senate by a vote of 62-37.

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. H.R. 15, among other negative aspects, would increase foreign worker visas. The amendment failed 15-22.

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to reduce asylum fraud.
Rep. voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would grant employment authorization instantly to asylum seekers, provide adjustment of status for Afghan nationals illegally paroled into the country, and create a new SIV program for Afghans.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Sen. Lankford voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110, offered by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to H.R. 3476. S. Amdt. 110 would have added the House-passed H.R. 2 to the Debt Limit compromise bill. The legislation would significantly reduce asylum fraud by strengthening the credible fear standard to ensure that only those who are more than likely to be awarded asylum by an immigration judge are allowed to continue with the asylum process. Further, it would prohibit individuals who cross the border illegally from claiming asylum and prevent asylum seekers from receiving a work permit for one year after entry.

2021: Sponsored S. 295 to expand protected status for Hong Kongers Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 295, the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The legislation would provide refugee status to Hong Kongers involved in peaceful political protests.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end chain migration Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Cosponsored legislation to streamline UAC removals Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 2192, the SECURE Act of 2017. This legislation would amnesty DACA recipients and those illegal aliens eligible for DACA. The legislation would also end chain migration, moderately improve border security, and streamline the sending back of unaccompanied minors who illegally cross the U.S. - Mexico border. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chuck Grassley.

2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase refugee resettlement Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Spending bill for 2016. This legislation would fully fund the refugee resettlement program and include increases in funding to accommodate Pres. Obamas proposal to resettle an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States in 2016.

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. H.R. 15, among other negative aspects, would increase refugee and asylum fraud. The amendment failed 15-22.

2024: Sponsored S. 3933 to reduce parole abuse
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 3933, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would reduce parole abuse by giving states standing to file suit against the federal government for its refusal to enforce immigration laws.

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to grant amnesty to undocumented “Dreamers.”
Rep. voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would provide lawful status for the dependents of H-1B aliens after they would otherwise age out of dependent status and allow them to apply for indefinite employment authorization.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Sen. Lankford voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110, offered by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to H.R. 3476. S. Amdt. 110 would have added the House-passed H.R. 2 to the Debt Limit compromise bill. The legislation would reduce amnesty by strictly limiting the situations under which an administration can grant parole to illegal aliens.

2023: Sponsored S. 505 to end parole for illegal aliens in most cases
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 505, the Immigration Parole Reform Act, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The legislation would limit parole for only individuals who have a life threatening medical emergency or who are assisting in a law enforcement matter. Further, the legislation would bar employment authorization for parolees. However, the legislation does include parole exceptions for Cuban nationals and spouses and children of active-duty service members.

2023: Sponsored S. 207 to limit Temporary Protected Status
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 207, the Temporary Protected Status Reform and Integrity Act, introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Ola.). The legislation would require DHS to submit a report detailing the details behind the designation or extension of Temporary Protected Status

2018: Voted against the McCain-Coons amendment that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted against an amendment offered by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The McCain-Coons amendment would grant amnesty to an estimated 3.2 million young-adult illegal aliens. The amendment failed 52-to-47 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Voted against the Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted against an amendment offered by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Angus King (I-Maine) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment would have granted amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million young-adult illegal aliens and granted a defacto amnesty to another 850,000 illegal aliens by protecting them from deportations. The amendment failed 54-to-45 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Cosponsored legislation to amnesty 1.9 million Dreamers and make moderate improvements to border security and the refugee system in 2018 Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 2192, the SECURE Act of 2017. This legislation would amnesty DACA recipients and those illegal aliens eligible for DACA. The legislation would also end chain migration, moderately improve border security, and streamline the sending back of unaccompanied minors who illegally cross the U.S. - Mexico border. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chuck Grassley.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to amnesty Dreamers (Tillis) Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 1852, the Succeed Act. This legislation would grant conditional resident status for illegal alien s who meet certain conditions. After ten years in this status, the illegal aliens would be eligible for green cards.  After 5 years with a green card (as a legal permanent resident), the recipients would be eligible for citizenship. The amnesty recipients would be able to sponsor their extended family members once they receive citizenship. The bills main sponsors are Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), James Lankford (R-Ok.), and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

2015: Voted against Attorney General nominee who supports amnesty Sen. Lankford voted against Loretta Lynchs confirmation as Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General, the top law enforcement office in the country, is a position that should be reserved for qualified individuals with the utmost regard for the rule of law. Unfortunately, while Ms. Lynch served honorably as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, she indicated during the confirmation process that she did not have that regard for duly enacted immigration laws. She deemed reasonable President Obamas unprecedented and unconstitutional amnesties. Her dismissive attitude about the seriousness of enforcing immigration laws was largely explained in her initial answer to Senate questioning about whether the priority for U.S. jobs should be that they go to unlawfully present foreign workers or to legal workers of our nation. Ms. Lynch answered that everybody should be getting U.S. jobs regardless of their legal status, despite the fact that the primary purpose of immigration laws is to protect vulnerable American workers. As a result, NumbersUSA took an unusual step and scored the vote for the confirmation of Ms. Lynch as a vote against against the rule of law, and against the interests of American workers. Ms. Lynch was confirmed by a vote of 56 to 43.

2015: Voted AGAINST Executive Amnesty by voting in favor of Sessions/Lee motion to allow possibility of de-funding Executive Amnesty in DHS Appropriations Sen. Lankford voted in favor of the Sessions/Lee motion to table the amendment tree on H.R. 240. After a series of 4 failed attempts to invoke cloture and move to debate on H.R. 240 (the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill that included language to de-fund Pres. Obamas Executive Amnesties), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) struck a deal with Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to move a clean DHS bill that would fund the amnesties through September 2015. As part of this deal, Majority Leader McConnell filled the amendment tree in order to provide full funding for President Obamas unconstitutional and illegal amnesties and block all other amendments to H.R. 240. This was especially outrageous given that Leader McConnell promised to restore regular order and an open amendment process when he became Senate Leader in January 2015. In response, Senators Sessions (R-AL) and Lee (R-UT) filed a motion to table the amendment tree, thus allowing amendments to the bill and the possibility of restoring the de-funding language. Thus, a vote in favor of the Sessions/Lee motion to table the amendment tree was a vote against amnesty and lawlessness a vote for the open process. The Sessions/Lee motion to table failed by a vote of 34 to 65.

2015: Voted AGAINST McConnell substitute amendment to H.R. 240 to fund Executive Amnesties Sen. Lankford voted AGAINST the McConnell amendment to substitute the text of HR 240 with language that would provide full and unrestricted funding for President Obamas unconstitutional and illegal Executive Amnesties. After a series of 4 failed attempts to invoke cloture and move to debate on H.R. 240 (the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill that included language to de-fund Pres. Obamas Executive Amnesties), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) struck a deal with Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to move a clean DHS bill that would fund the amnesties through September 2015. Voting against the McConnell substitute amendment was a clear sign that a Senator was willing protect struggling American workers who will have to compete for scarce jobs with millions of unlawful immigrants. It was also a vote against ceding Congress constitutional powers to a President who has shown absolute disdain for the rule of law and the separation of powers at the very core of our Constitution. Senators cannot expect the judicial branch to reclaim the legislative powers for which they are unwilling to fight. The McConnell Amendment passed by a vote of 66 to 33.

2015: Voted for SECOND Motion to bring H.R. 240 (DHS Appropriations bill) to de-fund Executive Amnesty to Senate floor Sen. Lankford voted in favor of the SECOND cloture motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) that includes language to de-fund President Obamas Executive Amnesties, including DACA and his November 2014 amnesty to give work permits to up to 5 million illegal aliens. DHS funding runs out at the end of February 2015 and President Obama has threatened to veto any appropriations bill that includes language to de-fund his amnesties, essentially saying his amnesty is more important than funding for DHS. No Senate Democrats voted to allow the bill to the Senate floor for debate. The motion failed by a vote of 53 - 47 (60 votes required for passage).

2015: Voted for THIRD Motion to bring H.R. 240 (DHS Appropriations bill) to de-fund Executive Amnesty to Senate floor Sen. Lankford voted in favor of the THIRD cloture motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) that includes language to de-fund President Obamas Executive Amnesties, including DACA and his November 2014 amnesty to give work permits to up to 5 million illegal aliens. DHS funding runs out at the end of February 2015 and President Obama has threatened to veto any appropriations bill that includes language to de-fund his amnesties, essentially saying his amnesty is more important than funding for DHS. No Senate Democrats voted to allow the bill to the Senate floor for debate. The motion failed by a vote of 52 - 47 (60 votes required for passage).

2015: Voted for FIRST Motion to Proceed to Debate on DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) to de-fund Executive Amnesty Sen. Lankford voted in favor of a cloture motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) that includes language to de-fund President Obamas Executive Amnesties, including DACA and his November 2014 amnesty to give work permits to up to 5 million illegal aliens. DHS funding runs out at the end of February 2015 and President Obama has threatened to veto any appropriations bill that includes language to de-fund his amnesties, essentially saying his amnesty is more important than funding for DHS. No Senate Democrats voted to allow the bill to the Senate floor for debate. The motion failed by a vote of 51-48.

2014: Voted in favor of legislation to end DACA (Blackburn) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 5272, legislation introduced by Rep. Marsha Blackurn to defund DACA. The bill represents a serious effort to address the true cause of the current border crisis: President Obamas contempt for immigration law. The bills language prevents the Obama Administration from expanding the existing illegal DACA amnesty program by using the primary power the Constitution reserves for the House of Representatives, the power of the purse. It prohibits the use of federal funds or resources for any further deferred action or work authorization for illegal aliens. The bill passed 216-192-1 (1 August 2014).

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. The amendment failed 15-22.

2013: Voted in favor of King Amdt to DHS Appropriations bill to prevent amnesty by prosecutorial discretion Rep. Lankford voted in favor of the King amendment to the FY2014 DHS Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2217). This amendment would have prohibited the Department of Homeland Security from using funds appropriated by Congress to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos. The Morton Memos were a series of three memos issued in 2011 that authorized the use of prosecutorial discretion and/or deferred action to provide amnesty to certain illegal aliens, particularly those brought here as children by their illegal alien parents. The amendment, offered by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), passed by a 224-201 vote (6 June 2013).

2012: Voted in favor of amendment to prevent amnesty by prosecutorial discretion (King) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of the King amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from using funds appropriated by Congress to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos. The Morton Memos were a series of three memos issued in 2011 that authorized the use of prosecutorial discretion and/or deferred action to provide amnesty to illegal aliens. The amendment

2015: Voted for FOURTH Motion to bring H.R. 240 (DHS Appropriations bill) to de-fund Executive Amnesty to Senate floor Sen. Lankford voted in favor of the FOURTH cloture motion to allow the Senate to begin debate on the House-passed DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) that includes language to de-fund President Obamas Executive Amnesties, including DACA and his November 2014 amnesty to give work permits to up to 5 million illegal aliens. DHS funding runs out at the end of February 2015 and President Obama has threatened to veto any appropriations bill that includes language to de-fund his amnesties, essentially saying his amnesty is more important than funding for DHS. No Senate Democrats voted to allow the bill to the Senate floor for debate. The motion failed by a vote of 47-46 (60 votes required for passage).

2023: Sponsored S.J.Res. 6 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in DC
Sen. Lankford sponsored S.J.Res. 6 introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). The resolution would disapprove of the D.C. Council's amendment to allow noncitizens to vote in elections.

2022: Sponsored S. 3154 blocking settlement cash to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 3154, the Prohibiting Taxpayer Funded Settlements for Illegal Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). The legislation would block settlement cash from going to families who were separated after crossing the border illegally.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 54 to S. Con. Res. 5 to block stimulus payments to illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted in favor of Amendment #54, introduced by Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), to S. Con. Res. 5, the 2021 COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment would have blocked stimulus payments from going to illegal aliens. The amendment was approved 58-42.

2014: Voted in favor of the Gohmert amendment to prevent housing subsides for illegal aliens Rep. Lankford voted in favor of the Gohmert amendment to H.R. 4745, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, of 2015. The amendment would have reduced funding to HUD for an amount equal to what has been spent in the past on Section 8 housing for illegal aliens. The amendment failed 160-266.

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. The amendment failed 15-22.

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to allow 5,000 illegal entries per day.
Rep. voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would codify chaos at the border by allowing up to 5,000 illegal entries per day before border closure is required. The requirements for border closure are time-limited, and much discretion is placed in the hands of the President and his staff to determine how and when to use the authority provided.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to strengthen border security
Sen. Lankford voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110, offered by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to H.R. 3476. S. Amdt. 110 would have added the House-passed H.R. 2 to the Debt Limit compromise bill. The legislation would require DHS to restart border wall construction that has been authorized for and paid for by Congress and strengthen the Secure Fence Act of 2006 by requiring physical barriers along 900 miles of border. The legislation also provides retention bonuses for Border Patrol agents and defunds efforts to resettle illegal border crossers across the country.

2023: Sponsored S. 374 to strengthen border security
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 374, the Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would make spotting along the border to assist illegal immigration or the smuggling of controlled substances a federal crime.

2023: Sponsored S. 208 to suspend the end of Title 42 for 60 days
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 208, the Public Health and Border Security Act, introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). The legislation would prevent the ending of the Title 42 border health policy put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic for 60 days.

2022: Sponsored S. 4036 to continue Title 42 due to the COVID-19 pandemic Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 4036, the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). The legislation would block the Biden Administration from ending the Title 42 policy that prevents illegal border crossers from claiming asylum due to the COVID-19 pandemic for 60 days.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 872 to S. Con. Res. 5 to fund border security and interior enforcement Sen. Lankford voted in favor of Amendment #872, introduced by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), to S. Con. Res. 5, the 2021 COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment would have provided funding for border security and interior enforcement. The amendment failed 50-50.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 651 to S. Con. Res. 5 to end catch-and-release Sen. Lankford voted in favor of Amendment #651, introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), to S. Con. Res. 5, the 2021 COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment would have ended the practice of catch-and-release at the border. The amendment failed 50-50.

2022: Voted in favor of S.J. Res. 46 to disapprove of asylum rule Sen. Lankford voted in favor of S.J.Res. 46 introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.). The legislation would formally disapprove of the Biden Administration rule to allow asylum officers to grant asylum to illegal border crossers at the border.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 687 to S. Con. Res. 5 to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy Sen. Lankford voted in favor of Amendment #687, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), to S. Con. Res. 5, the 2021 COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment would have reinstated the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the Remain in Mexico policy. The amendment failed 50-50.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 542 to S. Con. Res. 5 to provide border fence funding Sen. Lankford voted in favor of Amendment #542, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), to S. Con. Res. 5, the 2021 COVID-19 stimulus bill. The amendment would have provided funding for border fence construction. The amendment failed 50-50.

2022: Sponsored S. 4775 to increase the number of Border Patrol Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 4775, the Border Patrol Enhancement Act, introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). The legislation would establish a Border Patrol reserve of 2,500 and authorize 25,000 Border Patrol agents.

2019: Cosponsored S. 1165, the Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act, to prevent border surges Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 1165, the Responsibility for Unaccompanied Minors Act, introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). The bill would increase the number of immigration judges along the Southern border and make changes to they way unaccompanied alien minors who cross the border illegally are screened.

2018: Voted against the Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment that would weaken border security Sen. Lankford voted against an amendment offered by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Angus King (I-Maine) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment would have appropriated some funding for border security, but limited the ability of Customs and Border Patrols role in enforcement. The amendment failed 54-to-45 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that increased border spending Sen. Lankford voted for an amendment offered by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Grassley amendment would: 1) grant amnesty to an estimated 1.8 million DACA-eligible illegal aliens, 2) end Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery, 3) repurpose the Chain and Lottery green cards for clearing out the backlog of 4 million, and 4) authorize spending for increased border security The amendment failed 39-to-60 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018:Cosponsored legislation to make minor improvements to border security Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 2192, the SECURE Act of 2017. This legislation would amnesty DACA recipients and those illegal aliens eligible for DACA. The legislation would also end chain migration, moderately improve border security, and streamline the sending back of unaccompanied minors who illegally cross the U.S. - Mexico border. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chuck Grassley.

2015: Voted in favor of McCain amdt to S. Con. Res. 11 to support expedited removal of illegal aliens Sen. Lankford voted in favor of the McCain amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution, S. Con. Res 11. Sen. McCains original amendment called for the expedited removal of unaccompanied minors from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Those three countries were the source of the unprecedented border surge along the U.S.-Mexico border during the summer of 2014. But his original amendment also included a provision that would allow for the creation of in-country processing of refugees in those three countries. After NumbersUSA pointed out to Senators that the Central American migrants are not fleeing government persecution, and so do not qualify as refugees, but are instead seeking the benefits of the Presidents rewriting of our immigration law, Sen. McCain removed the in-country processing language, and NumbersUSA supported the amendment. Since the amendment was part of a Budget Resolution, it is non-binding and doesnt force a change in the current policy that allows unaccompanied minors from those three countries to be treated differently than those from Mexico or Canada. If the provision, however, remains in the budget resolution thats eventually approved by both chambers of Congress, it allows appropriators later to set spending levels for the 2016 fiscal year that call for the expedited removal of illegal aliens from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The amendment passed 58-to-42 (including the support of three Democrats and one Independent also Sens. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Angus King of Maine, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Claire McCaskill of Missouri.

2014: Voted against amnesty legislation Rep. Lankford voted against an amendment to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryans FY2015 budget resolution, H.Con.Res. 96. The amendment would have included increased revenue and spending related to the potential passage of H.R. 15, the House version of the Schumer-Obama amnesty bill. H.R. 15, among other negative aspects, would decrease border security. The amendment failed 15-22.

2012: Voted against an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. Lankford voted against the Grijalva amendment to H.R. 2578, legislation to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This amendment would have stripped provisions that allow the Border Patrol to bypass regulations put in place by the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture on federal lands within 100 miles of the border. The amendments sponsor is Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and it failed 177-247 (19 June 2012).

2012: Supported an amendment to place cell towers on the border (Poe) Rep. Lankford supported the Poe Amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 302-113 (6 June 2012).

2011: Supported an amendment to build cell phone towers along the U.S. - Mexico border (Poe) Rep. Lankford supported the Poe Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 327-93 (1 June 2011).

2024: Sponsored S. 3933 to increase interior enforcement
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 3933, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would increase immigration enforcement by requiring the detention of illegal aliens who have committed burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. It also gives States tools to fight back against administrations unwilling to faithfully execute the law as written by Congress. It empowers States directly by giving them standing to sue in Federal court, along with expedited consideration, for catch and release, mass parole, not complying with mandatory detention of aliens ordered removed, and for failing to discontinue visas to recalcitrant nations.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to mandate E-Verify and criminalize visa overstays
Sen. Lankford voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110, offered by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) to H.R. 3476. S. Amdt. 110 would have added the House-passed H.R. 2 to the Debt Limit compromise bill. The legislation would require most employers to use E-Verify within two years to ensure that new hires are authorized to work in the United States. The legislation provides additional time for agricultural employers to comply. The bill would also make overstaying a visa a felony crime and allow Unaccompanied Alien Children from noncontiguous countries to be returned to their home countries.

2023: Sponsored S. 1068 to discourage sanctuary cities
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 1068, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). The legislation would give immunity to state and local law enforcement who assist with immigration enforcement, expand the definition of sanctuary jurisdictions to include those that don't comply with detainer requests, and block certain federal benefits for sanctuary jurisdictions.

2023: Sponsored S. 733 to add certain crimes to the list of inadmissibles
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 733, the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion Act, introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). The legislation would clarify that kidnapping and sexual abuse convictions make an alien inadmissible and deportable.

2023: Sponsored S. 156 to mandate E-Verify
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 156, introdced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The legislation would require all employers to use E-Verify to check the work authorization for all new hires. Further, the legislation would require employers to run all existing employees who have not yet been checked within one year and increase penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers.

2023: Sponsored S. 160 to require detention of illegal aliens charged with serious crimes
Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 160, Sarah's Law, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the detention of aliens who are charged with a crime that resulted in the death of serious bodily injury of another person.

2022: Sponsored S. 4324 to add certain crimes to the inadmissible list Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 4324, the Reverse Entry for Migrant Offenders and Violence Expulsion Act, introduced by Rep. John Thune (R-S.D.). The legislation would add conviction for kidnapping or sexual abuse to the inadmissibility and deportable list of crimes.

2021: Sponsored S. 59, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, to assist victims of illegal alien crime Sen. Lankford sponsored S. 59, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). The legislation would establish a civil action for harm caused by an alien who benefited from a sanctuary policy. It would also provide immunity for state/local law enforcement when complying with ICE detainers.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on Senate floor Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that would weaken interior enforcement and increase foreign worker visas. The bill reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $431 million. Further, the bill authorized the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to increase the number of H-2B visas issued during the 2021 fiscal year.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2059, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, to discourage sanctuary policies Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 2059, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). The bill would establish a civil action for victims of felony crimes committed by aliens who benefited from sanctuary policies. The bill would also provide immunity for local law enforcement for complying with ICE detainer requests.

2019: Voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent weakening interior enforcement Sen. Lankford voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that provides funding for the federal government for FY2020. H.R. 1158 effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).

2019: Cosponsored S. 556 to require all businesses to use E-Verify Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 556, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). S. 556 would require all businesses to begin using E-Verify on all new hires within one year and require employers to run all existing employees through the system within three years. The legislation also increases penalties for employers who employ illegal aliens, includes provisions to detect identity fraud, and requires the Social Security Administration to detect multiple uses of the same SS number.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Lankford voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill reduces the funding for detention beds used by ICE to detain criminal aliens and recent illegal border crossers. It also provides protection from enforcement and removal for the illegal-alien sponsors and their families of unaccompanied alien children who cross the border illegally. Further, it prevents the hiring of any new ICE agents for Enforcement and Removal Operations.

2018: Voted against the Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment that would weaken interior enforcement Sen. Lankford voted against an amendment offered by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Angus King (I-Maine) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment would have reprioritized interior enforcement, protecting nearly every illegal alien, including illegal aliens not even in the country yet, for deportation. The amendment failed 54-to-45 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2018: Voted for Sen. Toomeys amendment that would punish sanctuary cities Sen. Lankford voted in favor of an amendment offered by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) to the Senate shell bill for granting amnesty to illegal aliens. The Toomey amendment would: 1) block certain Federal grants to sanctuary jurisdictions and reallocate those funds to jurisdictions that uphold Federal law, 2) protect local police from lawsuits for honoring ICE detainer requests, and 3) explicitly allow localities to protect from referral to ICE victims of or witnesses to a crime. The amendment failed 54-to-45 (needed 60 votes to pass).

2017: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Lankford cosponsored S. 179, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act. This legislation would make E-Verify permanent; mandate E-Verify for all federal government agencies, federal contractors, and critical employers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); require employers, contractors, and subcontractors to verify all new employees within one year; increase civil penalties to between $2,500 and $5,000 for each unauthorized alien, $5,000 to $10,000 per alien for second offenses, and $10,000 to $25,000 per alien for subsequent offenses; debar repeat violators from federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements; prohibit states from weakening the E-Verify law; protect employers from liability for actions taken in good faith; allow employers to voluntarily run prospective employees through E-Verify prior to employment with the consent of the prospective employee; require all employers to verify all current employees after 3 years; require reverification for employees with limited work permits; require employers to turn information over to DHS for any employee terminated due to receiving a final non-confirmation; stipulate information sharing between SSA (Social Security Administration), DHS, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service); and impose a 20 year prison term for identity theft. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is the bills main sponsor.

2016: Voted to begin debate on legislation to end sanctuary cities (Toomey) Sen. Lankford has voted to invoke cloture on S. 3100, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. The bill would help end sanctuary policies that aim to protect criminal aliens by defining sanctuary jurisdictions as any state or local jurisdiction that fails to communicate with federal immigration agents and refuses to comply with detainer requests. The bill would also block certain federal funds from sanctuary cities and shield local police from liability when acting on behalf of a federal immigration request.

2015: Voted to end Sanctuary Cities in 2015 (Vitter) Sen. Lankford voted in favor of cloture to open debate on S. 2146, the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act. This legislation would withhold certain federal funding from jurisdictions that enact sanctuary policies, require the Department of Homeland Security to create a public list of jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies in effect, protect local law enforcement from liability in holding criminal aliens for ICE pick-up, and increase penalties for illegal re-entry into the United States. The bill is sponsored by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).

2014: Cosponsoring H.R. 3857 to increase interior enforcement by allowing Congress to sue Administration over lack of enforcement of current law Rep. Lankford is a cosponsor of H.R. 3857, the Enforce and Take Care Clause Act of 2014 that would allow Congress to sue the Administration over a failure to enforce the law, or for other violations of the Constitution. This could increase interior enforcement of immigration laws if, for example, Congress were able to successful sue the Obama Administration for its DACA Executive Amnesty or for its failure to implement the entry-exit system.

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to protect the 287(g) program (Sullivan) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of the Sullivan amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. The amendment would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from terminating 287(g) agreements. The amendment, offered by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Ok.), passed by a 250-164 vote (7 June 2012).

2011: Opposed an amendment to defund the 287(g) program (Polis) Rep. Lankford opposed the Polis Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Polis amendment would have removed all funding for the 287(g) program from the bill, thereby preventing DHS from administering the program (effectively killing the 287(g) program). The amendment failed by a vote of 313-107 (2 June 2011).

2011: Supported an amendment to keep violent illegal aliens in custody (Cravaack) Rep. Lankford supported the Cravaack Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Cravaacks amendment would prevent the government from releasing convicted violent or dangerous illegal aliens while they are awaiting deportation. The amendment passed 289-131 (2 June 2011).

2011: Voted in favor of an amendment to increase 287(g) funding (Royce) Rep. Lankford voted in favor of the Royce Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would increase funding for the 287(g) program by $1 million (about 18.5%). The amendment passed by a vote of 268-151 (1 June 2011).