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2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end chain migration Sen. Ernst 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: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end the visa lottery Sen. Ernst 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).

2021: Sponsored S. 1024 to increase health care visas Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 1024, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The legislation would recapture 40,000 supposedly unused visas and provide them to health care workers.

2022: Voted in favor of H.R. 2471 to increase in H-2B and EB-5 visas Sen. Ernst voted in favor of 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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 in favor of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Ernst voted in favor of 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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).

2015: Voted against the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Sen. Ernst voted against 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.

2023: Sponsored S. 685 to prevent future border surges
Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 685, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). The legislation would close the UAC loophole to allow DHS to return Unaccompanied Alien Children from non-contiguous countries to be returned to their home countries, allow DHS to detain family units who are apprehended after crossing the border illegally, and strengthen the credible fear standard to make it more in line with the asylum standard.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Sen. Ernst 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. 2032 to increase Afghan SIV admissions Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 2032, the Afghan Allies Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). The legislation would expand the Afghan, including and increase to the cap from 26,500 to 46,500 and extending the program until 2024.

2021: Sponsored S. 884 to end border surges and asylum fraud Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 884, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Lee (R-Utah). The legislation would take significant steps to end border surges and asylum fraud, including: 1) close the loophole for UACs from noncontiguous countries, 2) close the Flores Settlement loophole that limits the time family units can be detained by Border Patrol, 3) strengthen the credible fear standard, 4) limit asylum to those arriving at a port of entry, 5) shifts the work permit eligibility for asylum seekers from 180 days to 1 year, and 6) makes asylum fraud a felony crime.

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Ernst voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that end chain migration Sen. Ernst 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).

2015: Voted against the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Sen. Ernst voted against 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.

2025: (Jan. 20) Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to prevent a type of amnesty through abuse of parole.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.)

2025: (Jan. 17) Sen. Ernst voted in favor of cloture to allow the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to move to a final vote.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The 61-35 vote allowed the Senate to proceed to the final floor vote.)

2025: (Jan. 15) Sen. Ernst voted against the Coons amendment (S.Amdt.23) to the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to remove states' ability to sue the federal government for granting a type of mass amnesty through abuse of parole.
This amendment (by Chris Coons, D-DE) to the Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) would have stripped out the provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The amendment failed 46-49.)

2025 (Jan. 09): Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the first cloture on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), to proceed to debate and amendments.
The Laken Riley Act (by Sen. Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by granting mass parole (a form of amnesty) instead of on a case by case basis. Sixty votes were necessary to overcome a filibuster. (The cloture vote passed 84-9, allowing the Senate to proceed with amending the legislation.)

Sen. Ernst co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to prevent a type of amnesty through abuse of parole.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.)

2023: Sponsored S. 1667 to grant amnesty to children of nonimmigrants
Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 1667, the Protecting Children of Long-Term Visa Holders Act of 2023, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would give permanent resident status to non-admissible and non-deportable aliens who are dependent children of nonimmigrants if they have been lawfully present in the U.S. for at least ten years and graduated college.

2023: Sponsored S. 505 to end parole for illegal aliens in most cases
Sen. Ernst 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. 685 to limit amnesties for UACs
Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 685, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). The legislation would clarify status for the Special Immigrant Juvenile visa reducing the number of UACs who will receive an amnesty after crossing the border illegally.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Sen. Ernst 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.

2021: Sponsored S. 884 to block amnesty for illegal border crossers Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 884, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Lee (R-Utah). The legislation would close a loophole that allows certain Unaccompanied Alien Minors who cross the border illegally to receive Special Immigration Juvenile status.

2021: Sponsored S. 2753 to grant a preemptive amnesty to nonimmigrants S. Ernst sponsored S. 2753, the Protecting Children of Long-term Visa Holders Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would issue green cards to noncitizen visa holders who are children of H visa holders and will soon age out of legal status. In essence, the legislation will grant an amnesty to 190,000 soon-to-be illegal aliens.

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Ernst voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Ernst 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: Voted against the McCain-Coons amendment that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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).

2015: Voted against Attorney General nominee who supports amnesty Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.

2015: Voted for FOURTH Motion to bring H.R. 240 (DHS Appropriations bill) to de-fund Executive Amnesty to Senate floor Sen. Ernst 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. 5 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in DC
Sen. Ernst sponsored S.J.Res. 5 introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). 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. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.

2021: Sponsored S. 25, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, to eliminate rewards for illegal aliens Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 25, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The legislation would block certain federal funds to jurisdictions that provide drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

2020: Cosponsored S. 3286, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Sen. Ernst cosponsored S. 3286, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The legislation would block Byrne grants for states that issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens and/or block DHS from accessing DMV records.

Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) to fund border security.

The Senate-amended FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) provides between $175 - 200 billion for immigration enforcement, including border wall construction and additional agents. (The resolution passed the Senate 51-48 and later passed the House 216-214).
 

Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) to fund border security.

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Lindsey Graham, R-SC) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including border wall construction and additional agents. (The resolution passed the Senate 52-48, setting up a conference with the House).

Rep. Ernst co-sponsored the Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act (S. 50) to make illicit spotting a felony and increase penalties for alien smuggling.

The Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act (by Joni Ernst, R-IA) would make illicit spotting and destruction of border controls a felony offense and reclassify alien smuggling while in possession of a firearm as a crime of violence.
 

2023: Sponsored S. 1494 to help fund border barriers
Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 1494, the BUILD IT Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the federal government to turn over unused border wall materials to the states that request using it to build or repair border barriers.

2023: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to strengthen border security
Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.

2022: Sponsored S. 4294 to use unused materials for border barrier construction Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 4294, the BUILT IT Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the federal government to turn over unused border barrier materials to the states that request it to build their own border barriers.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 687 to S. Con. Res. 5 to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy Sen. Ernst 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.

2022: Voted in favor of S.J. Res. 46 to disapprove of asylum rule Sen. Ernst 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. 542 to S. Con. Res. 5 to provide border fence funding Sen. Ernst 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.

2021: Voted in favor of Amdt. 872 to S. Con. Res. 5 to fund border security and interior enforcement Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Ernst voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2018: Voted in favor of Sen. Grassleys amendment to the Senate DACA bill that increased border spending Sen. Ernst 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: Voted against the Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment that would weaken border security Sen. Ernst 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).

2015: Voted in favor of McCain amdt to S. Con. Res. 11 to support expedited removal of illegal aliens Sen. Ernst 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.

Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) to fund interior enforcement.

The Senate-amended FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) provides between $175 - 200 billion for immigration enforcement, including the government's ability to detain and remove people who are not admissible to the United States. (The resolution passed the Senate 51-48 and later passed the House 216-214).

Sen. Ernst co-sponsored the Accountability Through Verification Act (S. 1151) to mandate use of the E-Verify system

The Accountability Through Verification Act (by Chuck Grassley, R-IA) would require all employers to use E-Verify to check the work authorization for all new hires - and all existing employees who have not yet been checked - within one year, and increase penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers.  The legislation also includes provisions to detect identity theft and unauthorized aliens using false or stolen Social Security numbers.
 

Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) to fund interior enforcement.

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Lindsey Graham, R-SC) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including the government's ability to detain and remove people who are not admissible to the United States. (The resolution passed the Senate 52-48, setting up a conference with the House).

Sen. Ernst co-sponsored Sarah's Law (S. 84) to require the detention of aliens charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.

Sarah's Law (by Joni Ernst, R-IA) requires the detention of aliens who have been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.  The legislation also calls for DHS to notify the victim/victim's family of relevant immigration and criminal history of the accused.
 

2025: (Jan. 20) Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the Ernst amendment (S.Amdt. 8) to the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to expand the list of offenses that would require mandatory detention.
The amendment (by Joni Ernst, R-IA) to The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) added "assault of a law enforcement officer" and "any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person" to the list of offenses requiring mandatory detention. (The amendment passed 75-24 and was included in the final bill.)

2025: (Jan. 20) Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act (S.5) to strengthen detention requirements and give states the ability to sue the federal government for not enforcing immigration laws.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft, assault, and bodily harm; also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.

2025: (Jan. 17) Sen. Ernst voted in favor of cloture to allow the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to move to a final vote.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft (burglary, larceny & shoplifting); also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The 61-35 vote allowed the Senate to proceed to the final floor vote.)

2025: (Jan. 15) Sen. Ernst voted against the Coons amendment (S.Amdt.23) to the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to remove states' ability to sue the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws.
This amendment (by Chris Coons, D-DE) to the Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) would have stripped out the provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The amendment failed 46-49.)

2025 (Jan. 09): Sen. Ernst voted in favor of the first cloture on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to proceed to debate and amendments.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft (burglary, larceny & shoplifting); also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The cloture vote passed 84-9, allowing the Senate to proceed with amending the legislation.)

Sen. Ernst co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act (S.5) to strengthen detention requirements and give states the ability to sue the federal government for not enforcing immigration laws.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft (burglary, larceny & shoplifting); also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.)

2024: Cosponsored S. 5183 to add certain sex crimes to list of deportable offenses 

Sen. Ernst cosponsored S. 5183, the Be GONE Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would add sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence to the aggravated felony list.

2023: Sponsored S. 1068 to discourage sanctuary cities
Sen. Ernst 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: Voted in favor of S. Amdt. 110 to H.R. 3476 to mandate E-Verify and criminalize visa overstays
Sen. Ernst 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. 160 to require detention of illegal aliens charged with serious crimes
Sen. Ernst 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.

2023: Sponsored S. 156 to mandate E-Verify
Sen. Ernst cosponsored S. 156, the Accountability Through Verification Act, introduced 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.

2021: Sponsored S. 59, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, to assist victims of illegal alien crime Sen. Ernst 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.

2021: Sponsored S. 60 to strengthen interior enforcement Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 60, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). The legislation would reaffirm DHS authority to issue detainers for any alien it has reason to believe is removable.

2021: Sponsored S. 71, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, to require employers to use E-Verify Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 71, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The legislation would require all businesses to use E-Verify within one year for both new hires and existing employees. Further, the legislation would require information sharing between the relevant agencies to eliminate fraud.

2021: Sponsored S. 25, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, to block funds for sanctuary cities Sen. Ernst sponsored S. 25, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The legislation would block certain federal funds to jurisdictions that provide drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on Senate floor Sen. Ernst 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. 3286, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Sen. Ernst cosponsored S. 3286, the Stop Greenlighting Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The legislation would block Byrne grants for states that issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens and/or block DHS from accessing DMV records.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2059, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, to discourage sanctuary policies Sen. Ernst 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 in favor of H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Ernst voted in favor of 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: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Ernst voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

2019: Cosponsored S. 556 to require all businesses to use E-Verify Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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 for Sen. Toomeys amendment that would punish sanctuary cities Sen. Ernst 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).

2018: Voted against the Schumer-Collins-Rounds-King amendment that would weaken interior enforcement Sen. Ernst 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).

2017: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Ernst 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.

2017: Cosponsored legislation strengthening interior enforcement (Grassley) Sen. Ernst cosponsored S. 51, the Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act. This legislation would make aliens with multiple DUIs priorities for removal and inadmissible. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

2016: Voted to begin debate on legislation to end sanctuary cities (Toomey) Sen. Ernst 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. Ernst 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.).

2015: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 202, 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.