2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to double chain migration
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would shift spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents to the unlimited immediate family category. Additionally, it expands all other areas of legal immigration, resulting in an increase of nearly 300,000 chain migration green cards each year.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to increase the Visa Lottery by 50%
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would create an additional 25,000 green cards each year for the Visa Lottery, bringing the annual total of green cards raffled off each year to 80,000.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

2005-2006: Voted against a bill to eliminate visa lottery.
Rep. Costa voted against final passage of H.R. 4437 which included a provision to eliminate the visa lottery that each year awards 55,000 visas on a random basis. H.R. 4437 was passed by the House by a vote of 239 to 182.

2005-2006: Voted for an amendment to eliminate visa lottery.
Rep. Costa voted on the floor of the House in favor of the Goodlatte amendment to H.R. 4437. The Goodlatte Amendment would eliminate the visa lottery program that each year awards 55,000 visas on a random basis. The Amendment passed by a vote of 273 to 148.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to expand immigrant and nonimmigrant worker visas
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would allow approximately 600,000 nonimmigrants who are "essential" workers to receive green cards. Additionally, the legislation would more than 11 million new employment preference green cards over 10 years, plus offer green cards to any nonimmigrant with an advanced degree in STEM.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would expand the unlimited agricultural guest worker program to include jobs in dairy, meat processing, fish canneries, and more.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would expand the unlimited agricultural guest worker program to include jobs in dairy, meat processing, fish canneries, and more.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 2255 to increase employment-based green cards Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 2255, the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, introduced by Rep. Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.). The bill would recapture 40,000 so-called unused employment-based green cards for healthcare workers. Additionally, their family members would also receive green cards.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

2022: Voted in favor of H.R. 2471 to increase H-2B and EB-5 visas Rep. Costa 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. 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.

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 5173, the AMIGOS Act, introduced by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) to increase guest workers Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 5173, the AMIGOS Act. This legislation would end add Portugal to the list of countries eligible for E-1 and E-2 visas.

2018: Voted in favor of the Omnibus Spending Bill to increase H-2B visas Rep. Costa voted in favor of the substitute amendment to H.R. 1625, the omnibus spending bill of 2018. The massive spending bill included a provision that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to double the number of H-2B visas in FY2018.

2017: Voted in favor of increasing foreign worker visas Rep.Costa 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 Rep. Costa 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 to grant the President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)‚ Rep. Costa 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 Promotion Authority 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 sets 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 House by a vote of 218-208.

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to increase the number of foreign workers (Stupak).
Rep. Costa cosponsored the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007 (HR 1843). The bill would exempt any alien who has been present in the United States as an H-2B nonimmigrant worker for any one of the previous three fiscal years and who is returning to work as an H-2B from counting against the 66,000-per-year cap on H-2B visas. This potentially triples the number of workers in a year and would make these provisions effective for five years. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2006: Cosponsored a bill to increase the number of low-skill workers present in the U.S. at any one time (Bass).
Rep. Costa was a cosponsor of H.R. 4740 to extend for three years an exemption for any H-2B alien (for temporary, or seasonal low-skill workers) who has been counted against the 66,000-visa cap during any of the three previous three fiscal years. H.R. 4740 has the potential to triple the number of H-2B workers in the United States at any given time. Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2005-2006: Voted against CAFTA, foreign worker importation program (Delay)
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 3045, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA), on July 28, 2005 (12:03 AM). It is expected that CAFTA would create the expectation of immigration and lead to an increase in illegal immigration. H.R. 3045 was sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas).

2005-2006: Voted against an amendment to prohibit foreign-worker importation provisions in Free Trade Agreements.
Rep. Costa voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 2862 to prevent the U.S. Trade Representative from including immigration provisions in Free Trade Agreements. The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 106 to 322.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to add 25,000 asylum visas over 10 years
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would add an additional 25,000 green cards over 10 years to be used for refugees from Syria.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 3800 to expand refugee and asylum numbers Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3800, the GLOBE Act, introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.). The legislation would qualify sexual orientation or gender identity under the social groups provision of refugee/asylum law. This change would immediately qualify an estimated 640 million foreign citizens for refugee or asylum status in the U.S.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 8685 to grant amnesty to Afghan evacuees Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 8685, the Afghan Adjustment Act, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 75,000 Afghan evacuees and their family members who were paroled into the United States and arent eligible for other programs offered for translators and others who assisted U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 3985, the Allies Act, introduced by Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.). The legislation would reduce the threshold to participate in the Afghan SIV program, significantly increase the eligible pool beyond those who participated in sensitive and trusted activities, and increase the principle alien cap by 8,000.

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.

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, to weaken enforcement and increase refugee fraud Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jarrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). The legislation would: 1) severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to detain family units who cross the border illegally, 2) prohibits the prosecution of asylum-seekers for illegal entry until after their asylum claims have been decided, and 3) increase instances of asylum fraud by limiting the feds ability to detain and remove asylum-seekers.

2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Costa 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.

2007: Voted against an amendment to reduce the time period of a countrys temporary protected status. Rep. Costa voted against the Forbes amendment to HR 2638, which would prohibit funds pursuant to this bill from being used to extend the temporary protected status designation of a country. This amendment failed 123-298.

None

2005-2006: Voted for amendment (Nadler) to strip asylum reforms (H.R. 418)
Rep. Costa voted in favor of the Nadler Amendment to H.R. 418 to strip asylum reforms that would prevent terrorists from gaming our asylum system. The Nadler Amendment would have stripped provisions to ensure that our asylum system is consistent with our justice system in which the trier of fact is always allowed to use the credibility of the defendant and witnesses in deciding the case. The Nadler Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 185-236 on February 10, 2005 (1:55 PM).

2024: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to hold the federal government accountable for immigration parole abuse
Rep. Costa voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its abuse of parole for apprehended illegal aliens.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 16 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 16, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to more than 3 million illegal aliens who either would qualify under the DREAM Act or have received Temporary Protected Status.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 1511 to expand amnesties for illegal aliens indefinitely
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 1511, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act , introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would create a rolling amnesty by updating the immigration registry to apply to any illegal alien who has been in the country for at least seven years.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). The legislation would reduce amnesty by strictly limiting the situations under which an administration can grant parole to illegal aliens.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to grant amnesty to 11 million illegal aliens
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to nearly all illegal aliens currently living in the United States.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 2920, the American Families United Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 2920, the American Families United Act, introduced by Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas). The legislation would grant an amnesty with a path to citizenship to illegal-alien family members of U.S. citizens. According to Pew, this would result in amnesty for approximately 3,844,000 illegal aliens.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 2.9 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country under the age of 19 and to another 320,000 illegal aliens who have been granted Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. The bill contains no immigration offsets or enforcement provisions to deter future illegal immigration.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to more than 1 million illegal farm workers, allowing them to apply for permanent status upon working a certain number of hours in agriculture in future years.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty and increase guest workers Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to more than 1 million illegal farm workers, allowing them to apply for permanent status upon working a certain number of hours in agriculture in future years.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens 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 2.9 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country under the age of 19 and to another 320,000 illegal aliens who have been granted Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. The bill contains no immigration offsets or enforcement provisions to deter future illegal immigration.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

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.

2017: Cosponsored the Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard to grant amnesty to young illegal aliens Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 3440, the Dream Act of 2017. This legislation would grant amnesty to an estimated 3.3 million young illegal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

2017: Cosponsored legislation granting amnesty to illegal aliens (Coffman) Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R> 496, the BRIDGE Act. This legislation would codify Pres. Obamas unconstitutional executive DACA amnesty by granting provisional protected presence status to illegal aliens who received the DACA amnesty or who would qualify for DACA. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Col.).

2017: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service in (Denham) Rep. Costa is a cosponsor of H.R. 60, the ENLIST Act. The ENLIST Act provides amnesty in the form of conditional legal permanent residence to aliens who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligible aliens must have been unlawfully present in the U.S. prior to 2012, continuously present in the U.S. since that date, younger than 15 upon initial entry, and otherwise eligible for enlistment. That conditional status is rescinded if the alien separates from the Armed Forces prior to completing the term of enlistment for anything other than honorable conditions. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).

2016: Voted against Gosar amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Costa voted against Rep. Paul Gosars amendment to the FY17 Defense Appropriations bill. The Gosar amendment would have prohibited funds from being used by the Department of Defense to enlist DACA recipients into the military through the MAVNI program. A vote against was a vote in favor of enlisting illegal aliens into the military. The amendment failed 210-211.

2016: Voted against King amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Costa voted against Rep. Steve Kings amendment to the FY17 Defense Appropriations bill. The King amendment would have prohibited funds from being used by the Department of Defense to enlist DACA recipients into the military. A vote against was a vote in favor of enlisting illegal aliens into the military. The amendment failed 207-214.

2015: Voted against Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Costa voted against an amendment by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) to strip an amnesty provision from the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735). The provision stripped by the Brooks Amendment would have encouraged the Secretary of Defense to waive military enlistment requirements for illegal aliens who received amnesty through Pres. Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Brooks Amendment passed 221-to-202.

2015: Voted in FAVOR OF funding Executive Amnesties by opposing clean DHS Appropriations bill, H.R. 240 Rep. Costa voted in favor of final passage of H.R. 240, the DHS funding bill passed by the Senate which did not include riders to stop President Obamas unconstitutional Executive Amnesties. Although the House had originally passed H.R. 240 with these riders, the Senate stripped them out, thus fully funding the Executive Amnesties through September 2015. When the House voted on the bill as returned from the Senate, Sen. Costa supported Executive Amnesty by voting in favor of final passage (and consequently for a temporary shut down of DHS). Funding the Presidents illegal amnesties not only made Congress complicit in the Presidents lawless behavior, it also undermined the lawsuit filed by 26 states to stop implementation of the amnesties. If Congress is unwilling to fight to protect its own legislative powers, why should the courts fight on Congresss behalf? The bill passed by a vote of 257-167.

2015: Voted against Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas Nov. 2014 amnesty Rep. Costa voted against the Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Aderholt Amendment would defund implementation of all Obama and DHS November 2014 memoranda; defund 4 of the 5 Morton Memos that deal with prosecutorial discretion and detail who ICE agents can and cant deport; and prohibit federal benefits from being given to any illegal alien covered by the November memoranda. The Aderholt Amendment passed by a vote of 237-190.

2015: Voted against Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas DACA amnesty Rep. Costa voted against the Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Blackburn Amendment would defund the processing of applications and renewals of President Obamas 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, thus making it impossible for DACA recipients to continue to receive legal status. The Blackburn Amendment passed by a vote of 218-209.

2014: Voted to lock in President Obamas executive Amnesty Rep. Costa cast a crucial YES vote in helping Pres. Obama and Speaker Boehner pass the CRomnibus that appears to fully fund the Obama amnesty through the Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies through next September, while funding the Department of Homeland Security part of the amnesty for the next couple of months. Most Democrats voted to kill the spending bill (mainly over other issues in the legislation). The net effect, though, was that Pres. Obama got his amnesty affirmed and funded mainly by a Republican Party that made opposition to amnesty one of the three main planks in their campaigns to take over Congress this fall.

2014: Voted against legislation to end DACA (Blackburn) Rep. Costa voted against 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).

2013: Voted against King Amdt to DHS Appropriations bill to prevent amnesty by prosecutorial discretion Rep. Costa voted against 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).

2010: Voted for the DREAM Act amnesty, which would have rewarded illegal aliens with amnesty.
The DREAM Act would have granted amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 30 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came illegally to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Fortunately, the DREAM Act did not pass.

2009-2010: Cosponsored AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by granting amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 2414, which encourages more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2007-2008: Cosponsoring AgJOBS, which grants amnesty to illegal aliens who work in the agricultural field (Berman).
Rep. Costa is a cosponsor of H.R. 371, which encourages more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2006: Voted against an amendment that denies temporary amnesty for certain Central Americans.
Rep. Costa voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The Tancredo Amendment would prohibit funds appropriated by H.R. 5441 from being used to administer extensions of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) amnesty for Guatemalans, Hondurans, or Nicaraguans. The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 134-284.

2005-2006: Cosponsored AgJobs to grant amnesty to illegal aliens working in agriculture (Cannon).
Rep. Costa was a cosponsor of H.R. 884 to encourage more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

2023: Voted for H.J.Res. 24 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in the District of Columbia
Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.J. Res. 24, introduced by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.). The joint resolution would officially disapprove the the District of Columbia's Council amendment that allows illegal aliens to vote in local elections. The resolution passed the House 260-162.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 4815 to reward illegal aliens with college financial assistance Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 4815, the Higher Education Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). The legislation would allow illegal aliens who would otherwise qualify for the Dream Act to receive higher education financial assistance. It would also prevent institutions of higher learning from sharing information with the Student & Exchange Visa Information System making it more difficult to track visa overstays.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

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.

2015: Increases rewards for illegal aliens by providing in-state tuition benefits (Hinojosa) Rep. Costa cosponsored Rep. Ruben Hinojosas College Options for DREAMers Act, H.R.1959, that would provide in-state tuition to illegal aliens who would qualify for the DREAM Act.

2014: Voted against the Gohmert amendment to prevent housing subsides for illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted against 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.

2009: Voted against allowing consideration of verification amendments to the health care reform bill Rep. Costa voted in favor of the rule to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Despite high publicity about the big loopholes in the bill allowing illegal aliens to participate in many parts of the new federal healthcare plan, the Rules Committee brought a rule to the House floor that blocked a vote on any amendment giving the Members a chance to close the loopholes. NumbersUSA notified the Members of Congress that a vote FOR the closed rule would be graded as a vote to provide rewards and incentives for illegal immigration. In particular, the rule prevented the House from considering the Heller, Deal, and Wilson verification amendments to the bill. By supporting the rule, Rep. Costa signaled his/her support of a health bill that creates rewards or incentives for illegal immigration. The rule passed 242-192 (7 Nov. 09; 1:33 PM).

2009-2010: Cosponsored AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by giving illegal agricultural workers blue card status (Berman).
Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 2414 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status and later giving them and their families full residency. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2008: Voted for an amendment to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of an amendment to H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008. This amendment would prevent illegal aliens from receiving Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds pursuant to this act. The amendment passed by a vote of 391-33.

2008: Voted for an amendment to restrict funding to businesses that hire illegal aliens.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of an amendment to HR 5819 that would prohibit SBIR or STTR awards from going to a small business concern if an unlawful alien has an ownership interest in that concern or in a concern that has interest in the small business. The amendment also prohibits SBIR and STTR awards from going to businesses that have repeatedly hired, recruited, or referred unlawful aliens. The amendment passed by a vote of 406-0, with 3 present.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to prohibit Social Security funds from being used to administer benefits accrued from work performed in Mexico.
Rep. Costa voted for the Gingrey amendment to HR 3043, an amendment to prohibit the use of funds by the SSA to administer Social Security benefit payments, under any agreement between the United States and Mexico establishing totalization arrangements between the two countries. The amendment passed 254-168.

2007-2008: Voted to allow illegal aliens to vote in union elections.
Rep. Costa voted against a Motion to Recommit H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. The Motion to Recommit would have recommitted H.R. 800 to the Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the bill back to the House with an amendment that would require that all employees allowed to vote in union elections be citizens or legal residents of the United States. Although some Representatives voted against the Motion to Recommit because it would have delayed final passage of the bill, a vote in favor of the Motion to Recommit was clearly a vote in favor of interior enforcement and against allowing illegal aliens to vote in union elections. The Motion to Recommit failed by a vote of 202-225.

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Costa is a cosponsor of H.R. 371 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2005-2006: Voted for an amendment to aid states in conforming with minimum federally-mandated license standards.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of the Obey amendment to H.R. 2360 to provide $100 million to fund grants under the REAL ID Act to assist States in conforming with minimum drivers? license standards. The Obey amendment passed by a vote of 226-198.

2005-2006: Cosponsored AgJobs to protect illegal aliens from prosecution (Cannon).
Rep. Costa was a cosponsor of H.R. 884 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

2005: Voted against the Rule that incorporated the Managers Amendment to H.R. 418 to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. Costa voted against the Rule that incorporated the Managers Amendment to H.R. 418 to strike both the section of the bill that explicitly recognizes states ability to issue driving certificates that do not comply with the standards

2005-2006: Voted in favor of bill to make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers, licenses (Sensenbrenner)
Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 418 to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers, licenses and a legal presence requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers, licenses. As well H.R. 418 would tie the drivers license expiration date of a temporary visa holder to the expiration date of their visa so that those who enter the country legally as visa holders but become illegal aliens by overstaying their visas will not have a valid drivers license after the date of the expiration of their visa. H.R. 418, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), passed by a vote of 261-161 on February 10, 2005 (2:41 PM).

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to strengthen border security
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). 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 H.R. 3194 to encourage border surges
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would likely create a massive surge of illegal border crossings because of the amnesty, new enforcement guidelines that block removals of illegal aliens, and the green card expansions.

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

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, to weaken enforcement and increase refugee fraud Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jarrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). The legislation would: 1) severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to detain family units who cross the border illegally, 2) prohibits the prosecution of asylum-seekers for illegal entry until after their asylum claims have been decided, and 3) increase instances of asylum fraud by limiting the feds ability to detain and remove asylum-seekers.

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. Costa voted in favor of 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. Costa 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: Opposed an amendment to build cell phone towers along the U.S. - Mexico border (Poe) Rep. Costa opposed 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).

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment to deter illegal immigration and drug smuggling by removing lookout posts for smugglers.
Rep. Costa voted against the King amendment (250) to H.R. 2892, the 2010 DHS appropriations bill. This amendment requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove the lookout posts constructed by drug smugglers, thereby making it more difficult for drug smugglers and reducing illegal immigration associated with illegal drug activity. This amendment passed 240-187-1. Rep. Costas vote was one to continue allowing illegal drugs and aliens across our border.

2008: Has not Signed Discharge Petition to move H.R. 4088, a bill to increase border security Rep. Costa has not signed the Discharge Petition on H.R. 4088, the SAVE Act, to increase border security. If the petition collects 218 signatures, a simple majority, the bill can bypass the committee process and be placed on the House floor for a vote.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to increase funding for the construction of a border fence.
Rep. Costa voted against the Brown-Waite amendment to HR 2638. This amendment re-directs $89 million set to be appropriated to the Undersecretary for Managements account to the Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology Account, with a view towards constructing at least 700 miles of fencing along the southern border. The amendment was adopted 241-179.

2006: Voted for a bill to prevent border tunnels.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Protection Act of 2006 to penalize any person who constructs or uses a border tunnel. H.R. 4830 passed by a vote of 422 to 0.

2006: Voted in favor of H.R. 6061 to create border fence Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6061 to create a 700 mile reinforced fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, and to provide for other barriers for border control. H.R. 6061 passed by a vote of 283-138-1 (1 denotes a vote of present.) on September 14, 2006.

2005-2006: Voted against an amendment that requires complete execution of the previously instituted entry-exit system.
Rep. Costa voted against the Sullivan Amendment to H.R. 4437 to require full implementation of the automated entry-exit system that was instituted by Congress in 1996. As well, the Sullivan Amendment would have provided for expedited removal of most illegal aliens. The Sullivan Amendment failed by a vote of 163 to 251.

2005-2006: Voted against a bill to build 700 miles of a border fence.
Rep. Costa voted against final passage of H.R. 4437 which included provisions to create 700 miles of border fencing along the Mexican border and to require implementation of the entry-exit system. H.R. 4437 was passed by the House by a vote of 239 to 182.

2005-2006: Voted for an amendment to reinforce physical structures, including fences, to keep illegal aliens out.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of the Hunter Amendment to H.R. 4437. The Hunter Amendment would shore up security by building fences and other physical infrastructure to keep out illegal aliens. The Hunter Amendment passed by a vote of 260-159.

2005-2006: Voted against amendment (Goode) to H.R. 1815 to authorize troops on the border
Rep. Costa voted against authorizing the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain conditions, to assist in the performance of border control functions. H. Amdt. 206, sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), passed the House by a vote of 245-184.

2005: Voted in favor of H.R. 418 to reduce asylum fraud Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 418 to significantly the reduced the risk that terrorists will be able to game our asylum system or avoid removal because of loopholes in our immigration laws. H.R. 418 passed by a vote of 261-161 on February 10, 2005 (2:41 PM).

2023: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to increase interior enforcement
Rep. Costa voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its non-enforcement of immigration laws.  The legislation also mandates the detention of illegal aliens for selected crimes.  The legislation passed the House, 251-170.

2024: Voted against H.R. 5717, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act

Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 5717, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY). The legislation bars localities that ignore ICE immigration detainer requests from receiving federal funds that are intended to benefit illegal aliens.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2494 to strengthen interior enforcement
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.). The legislation would make attacking a law enforcement officer a deportable offense.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to mandate E-Verify and criminalize visa overstays
Rep. Costa voted against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). 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 H.R. 3194 to prohibit most deportations
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would block the deportation of illegal aliens until they've had an opportunity to apply for relief or an adjustment of status.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement for any illegal alien who could be eligible for the amnesty, regardless of whether the alien has applied or meets the qualifications. Further, it would block ICE access to amnesty applications that are denied.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement efforts against any illegal alien who could qualify for the amnesties regardless if the alien has applied or not.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement efforts against any illegal alien who could qualify for the amnesties regardless if the alien has applied or not.

2021: Sponsored 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 halt enforcement for any illegal alien who could be eligible for the amnesty, regardless of whether the alien has applied or meets the qualifications. Further, it would block ICE access to amnesty applications that are denied.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 4815 to limit enforcement of illegal alien college students Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 4815, the Higher Education Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). The legislation would allow illegal aliens who would otherwise qualify for the Dream Act to receive higher education financial assistance. It would also prevent institutions of higher learning from sharing information with the Student & Exchange Visa Information System making it more difficult to track visa overstays.

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.

2014: Voted Against Amendment to Investigate Release of Illegal Aliens Rep. Costa voted against the King amendment to H.R. 4660, the Commerce, Science, and Justice Appropriations Bill. This amendment would appropriate $5 for the Justice Department to investigate the release of 36,007 illegal aliens with criminal convictions by DHS. The amendment passed 218-193.

2014: Voted against amendment to deprive sanctuary cities of funds Rep. Costa voted against the King amendment to H.R. 4460, the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill. This amendment would deprive sanctuary cities of funds due to them from enforcing federal immigration laws. Sanctuary cities are localities that do not notify federal authorities when illegal aliens are arrested, thereby acting as safe harbors for illegal aliens. The amendment passed 214-194.

2012: Voted against an amendment to protect the 287(g) program (Sullivan) Rep. Costa voted against 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 keep violent illegal aliens in custody (Cravaack) Rep. Costa voted against 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: Opposed an amendment to defund the 287(g) program (Polis) Rep. Costa 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: Voted against an amendment to increase 287(g) funding (Royce) Rep. Costa voted against 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).

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify.
Rep. Costa supported the King amendment (253) to H.R. 2892, the DHS appropriations bill. The amendment requires all DHS contractors and subcontractors to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of their employees. The King Amendment would have essentially implemented an Executive Order signed by President George W. Bush requiring all federal contractors to use E-Verify that has continually been postponed by President Obama. Use of E-Verify is one of the most effective tools at keeping illegal aliens out of U.S. jobs. The amendment passed 349-84, and the bill was signed into law October 28th, 2009.

2008: Voted for a bill that continues employment verification.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of H.R. 6633, a bill to reauthorize the E-Verify program for a period of 5 years. The E-Verify program allows businesses to determine the legal status of new hires and prevents illegal aliens from being hired, thus making the program an important tool in the Attrition through Enforcement anti-illegal immigration strategy. The bill passed by a vote of 407-2.

2008: Voted against punishing sanctuary cities.
Rep. Costa voted against a motion to H.R. 5719, the Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act. This motion would have recommitted H.R. 5719 with instructions to add language to deny tax exempt interest with respect to bonds of sanctuary states and cities, thereby putting pressure on cities that do not enforce immigration laws and cities who do not cooperate with federal authorities on immigration matters. This motion failed by a vote of 210-210.

2008: Has Not Signed Discharge Petition to move H.R. 4088, a bill to increase interior enforcement Rep. Costa has not signed the Discharge Petition on H.R. 4088, the SAVE Act, to require use of the electronic employment eligibility verification system, E-Verify. If the petition collects 218 signatures, a simple majority, the bill can bypass the committee process and be placed on the House floor for a vote.

2007-2008: Voted on House floor for amendment to fully fund the training of immigration enforcement officers.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of the Drake Amendment to H.R. 2638, the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The Drake Amendment would fully fund the presidents budget request ($26.4 million) for the training and support for the voluntary participation of local law enforcement officers in immigration law enforcement. This amendment passed 286-127.

2007: Voted in favor of sanctuary cities for illegal aliens Rep. Costa voted against an amendment (H. Amdt. 294) to H.R. 2638 offered by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO). The Tancredo amendment would prohibit funds from the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill from being distributed to states and localities that have sanctuary policies in place that prohibit or inhibit communications between Federal and state/local authorities. The Tancredo Amendment passed by a vote of 234 to 189.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to reduce funding for the visa waiver program.
Rep. Costa voted against the first Tancredo amendment to H.R. 2638, which would prohibit funding from H.R. 2638 from being used to fund the visa waiver program. This amendment failed 76-347.

2006: Voted for a bill that increases interior enforcement by allowing the federal government to remove aliens from El Salvador.
Rep. Costa voted for H.R. 6095 to clarify state and local law enforcements inherent authority to enforce Federal immigration laws and overturn a decades-old court injunction that impedes the Federal governments ability to remove aliens from El Salvador on an expedited basis. H.R. 6095 passed by a vote of 277-140.

2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Dreier)
Rep. Costa was a cosponsor of H.R. 98 to increase penalties against employers who hire illegal aliens and require employers to verify the legal status of potential employees who will be required to hold new Social Security cards with biometric identifiers. In addition, H.R. 98 calls for hiring 10,000 new Homeland Security Department investigators to enforce the law. This would go a long way toward removing the job magnet for illegal immigration. Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) was this bills primary sponsor.

2006: Voted against an amendment that disallows sanctuary cities for illegal aliens.
Rep. Costa voted against the King Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The King amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to state and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities.

2006: Voted for an amendment that increased interior enforcement by funding workplace verification.
Rep. Costa voted in favor of the Marshall Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The Marshall Amendment would fund USCISs electronic employment eligibility verification program. It passed by a vote of 358-63.

2005-2006: Voted against an amendment that requires complete execution of the previously instituted entry-exit system.
Rep. Costa voted against the Sullivan Amendment to H.R. 4437 to require full implementation of the automated entry-exit system that was instituted by Congress in 1996. The Sullivan Amendment failed by a vote of 163 to 251.

2005-2006: Voted against a bill to require their employees legal right to work in the U.S.
Rep. Costa voted against final passage of H.R. 4437 which would increase interior enforcement by requiring employers to use the Basic Pilot program to verify that new hires have the legal right to work in the United States. As well, it would bring state and local law enforcement agencies more into the enforcement fold and provide funding through both grants and reimbursement for their assistance in federal enforcement efforts. H.R. 4437 was passed by the House by a vote of 239 to 182.

2005-2006: Voted against an amendment to confirm local law enforcement has the authority to enforce current immigration law.
Rep. Costa voted against the Norwood Amendment to H.R. 4437 to reaffirm state and local law enforcements existing inherent authority to assist in the enforcement of immigration law. It would bring state and local law enforcement agencies more into the enforcement fold and provide funding through both grants and reimbursement for their assistance in federal enforcement efforts. The Norwood Amendment passed by a vote of 237 to 180.

2005-2006: Voted for H. Amdt. 288 (Tancredo) and against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. Costa voted in favor of H. Amdt. 288 to H.R. 2862, the CJS Appropriations bill. The amendment would deny certain federal funding to states and cities that violate federal law by enacting sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), failed by a vote of 204 to 222 on June 16, 2005 (2:54 PM).

2005-2006: Voted against amendment (Norwood) to H.R. 1817 to clarify State authority concerning immigration law
Rep. Costa voted against the Norwood Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to clarify the existing authority of State and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws and detain illegal aliens on May 18, 2005 (6:31 PM). Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) was the primary sponsor.

2005-2006: Voted against H. Amdt. 138 (Tancredo) and in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. Costa voted against H. Amdt. 138 to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006. The amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to states and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), failed by a vote of 165 to 258 on May 17, 2005 (5:23 PM).

None

2024: Cosponsored H.R. 9244 to limit the presidents authority on immigration 

Rep. Costa cosponsored H.R. 9244, the NO BAN Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), legislation 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 717 to grant amnesty to illegal-alien servicemembers
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 717, the Repatriate Our Patriots Act, introduced by Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (R-Texas). The legislation would fast track illegal aliens who served in the military to citizenship, cancels all removal proceedings, and brings back all deported veterans.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 1511 to expand amnesties for illegal aliens indefinitely
Rep. Costa sponsored H.R. 1511, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act , introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would create a rolling amnesty by updating the immigration registry to apply to any illegal alien who has been in the country for at least seven years.