Acted Negatively for Reduce Chain Migration

Acted Negatively for Reduce Visa Lottery

Acted Negatively for Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas

Acted Negatively for Refugees & Asylees

Acted Negatively for Reduce Amnesty Enticements

Acted Negatively for End Birthright Citizenship

Acted Negatively for Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards

Acted Negatively for Strengthen Border Security

Acted Negatively for Strengthen Interior Enforcement

2020: Voted against H.R. 2214 to limit the presidents authority on immigration Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), that would significantly limit executive authority from being used to prevent future border surges. The bill would restrict the use of 1182(f) that allows the President to suspend immigration for national security reasons and nullify Pres. Trumps executive orders aimed at preventing border surges.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3222 to block the Trump Administrations public charge rule Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3222, the No Federal Funds for Public Charge Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), would block the Trump Administration rule that expands the public charge rule. The Trump Administration expanded the definition of public charge to include consideration of non-cash welfare programs in the public charge determinations of legal immigrants.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3239 to weaken enforcement Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3239, the NumbersUSA will Score Against HR 3239, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act, introduced by Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.). While this bill purports to be about increasing humanitarian care, it would provide no additional resources for immigration officers to carry out that mission, makes no changes to allow for the detention of family units, and would further cripple agents who have the impossible task of handling the current surge.

2019: Signed letter in opposition to IRS sending no-match letters Rep. Costa signed a letter drafted by Rep. Jesus Garcia (D-Ill.) criticizing the Trump Administration for restarting the issuance of no-match letters. No-match letters are sent to employers when theres a discrepancy or irregularity with a Social Security number used by one of their employees. No-match letters are an important enforcement tool used to help identify illegal-alien workers. The letters signees oppose the use of these letters to strengthen enforcement.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). This legislation would severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to separate children from parents or legal guardians except for the case of: 1) terminated legal rights, 2) child trauma agencies determine its best, or 3) trafficking/not parent/danger of abuse. $10,000 fine for violation. The legislation would also ban the prosecution of asylum seekers who cross the border illegally for improper entry until after their claim has been adjudicated. 180 BAD in Amnesty

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3524 to increase asylum claims Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3524, the Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), that would create 100,000 new green cards each year for five years for asylees from the Northern Triangle countries. The bill does provide funding for additional immigration judges on the border.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to increase unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would automatically renew all nonimmigrant work permits that would have expired during the Covid-19 national emergency for a length of time equal to original visa. Further, it would also fast-track the admission of foreign health care workers and increase the number of green cards issued each year for the next 3 years by 4,000 for the importation of foreign doctors and nurses.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled immigration Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled illegal immigration Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Rep. Costa 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: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Costa 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 565, the AMIGOS Act, to increase unnecessary foreign workers from Portugal Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 565, the AMIGOS Act, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.). This legislation would make Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas if the government of Portugal provides similar nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3524 to increase asylum claims Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3524, the Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), that would create 100,000 new green cards each year for five years for asylees from the Northern Triangle countries. The bill does provide funding for additional immigration judges on the border.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to encourage border surges Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.). The legislation would encourage border surges and child trafficking by limiting the amount of time children can be kept in detention and presuming familial relationship. The bill would also allow for taxpayer funded lawyers for illegal border crossers.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4695, the PACT Act, to increase asylum fraud Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 4695, the PACT Act, introduced by Rep. Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.). The legislation would make Syrian Kurds a priority for refugee resettlement, encouraging them to commit asylum fraud.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4272, the TPS for Victims of Hurricane Dorian Act, to grant TPS to Bahamians Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 4272, introduced by Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), the TPS for Victims of Hurricane Dorian Act. The legislation would have granted a temporary protected status to any Bahamian nationals living in the country, regardless of immigration status, at the time of enactment for a period of 18 months.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to reduce rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.). The legislation would encourage border surges and child trafficking by limiting the amount of time children can be kept in detention and presuming familial relationship. The bill would also allow for taxpayer funded lawyers for illegal border crossers.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to grant a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have granted deferred action and work authorization to approximately 2 million illegal aliens currently working in occupations that are considered to be critical infrastructure work.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted for H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 4 million illegal aliens. The legislation included the Dream Act, which would have allowed 3.2 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country before their 18th birthday and meet certain other requirements to receive amnesty. The legislation also included an amnesty for at least 430,000 foreign citizens (mostly illegal aliens) from countries that have been given Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and TPS recipients Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3.2 million illegal aliens who claim that they came to the United States prior to the age of 18 and meet certain requirements. The legislation would also issue green cards to approximately 430,000 foreign citizens who have received Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Most TPS recipients were in the United States illegally prior to receiving the designation.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). This legislation would severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to separate children from parents or legal guardians except for the case of: 1) terminated legal rights, 2) child trauma agencies determine its best, or 3) trafficking/not parent/danger of abuse. $10,000 fine for violation. The legislation would also ban the prosecution of asylum seekers who cross the border illegally for improper entry until after their claim has been adjudicated. 180 BAD in Amnesty

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019, , introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). This legislation would grant amnesty to agriculture workers and their spouses and children if present in the U.S. at enactment as well as H-2A workers. It also includes an enforcement freeze for potentially eligible blue card workers and for those in removal proceedings. The bill allows for those who were ordered removed but still here to apply.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to provide stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have allowed illegal aliens to receive economic stimulus checks and required most illegal aliens in detention to be released unless their detention was required by law.

2020: Voted against the Motion to Recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to protect stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted against the motion to recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act. The motion would remove a provision in the legislation that would allow illegal aliens to retroactively receive the $1,200 stimulus checks that were issued to citizens and legal permanent residents in the CARES Act during the Covid-19 national emergency.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). This legislation includes the same criminal restrictions as the DACA amnesty, including near unlimited waivers. Amnesty recipients would also receive employment and travel benefits.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to hamper border security Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The legislation would require adequate time to access counsel for all aliens referred for secondary inspection at ports of entry. In doing so, it would slow down processing at ports of entry and redirect resources that could otherwise be used for border security.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3524 to strengthen border security Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3524, the Northern Triangle and Border Stabilization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) that would fund additional immigration judges at the southern border.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to encourage border surges Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.). The legislation would encourage border surges and child trafficking by limiting the amount of time children can be kept in detention and presuming familial relationship. The bill would also allow for taxpayer funded lawyers for illegal border crossers.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). This legislation would severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to separate children from parents or legal guardians except for the case of: 1) terminated legal rights, 2) child trauma agencies determine its best, or 3) trafficking/not parent/danger of abuse. $10,000 fine for violation. The legislation would also ban the prosecution of asylum seekers who cross the border illegally for improper entry until after their claim has been adjudicated. 180 BAD in Amnesty

2020: Cosponsored H.R. 5814, the No Public Charge Deportation Act of 2019, to block public charge aliens from removal Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 5814, the No Public Charge Deportation Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.). The legislation would remove public charge from the list of grounds for deportability.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to reduce rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3918, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.). The legislation would encourage border surges and child trafficking by limiting the amount of time children can be kept in detention and presuming familial relationship. The bill would also allow for taxpayer funded lawyers for illegal border crossers.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa 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: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 3401, the border crisis supplemental funding bill, to facilitate the continued trafficking of children along the Southern border Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 3401 on the House floor. The bill failed to include payroll funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are dealing with the ongoing border crisis. The bill also lacked funding for additional detention space and failed to address the root causes of the border surge, guaranteeing the need for future spending bills.

2019: Voted for H.R. 6 to weaken enforcement on House floor Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 3.6 million illegal aliens. The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately to illegal aliens prima facia, meaning it suspends interior enforcement during the time the amnesty is being granted. The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3.6 million illegal aliens prima facia, meaning it suspends interior enforcement during the time the amnesty is being granted.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Costa 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.