2019: Cosponsored S. 1103, the RAISE Act, introduced by Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 354, the RAISE Act of 2019. This legislation would cut legal immigration levels from 1 million per year to 500,000 per year by ending Chain Migration and capping refugee admissions at 50,000 per year.

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

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

2017: Cuts legal immigration by 50% by ending Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery (Cotton) Sen. Cotton cosponsored Sen. Tom Cottons RAISE Act, S. 354, that would cut legal immigration levels from 1 million per year to 500,000 per year by ending Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery and capping refugee admissions at 50,000 per year.

2019: Cosponsored S. 1103, the RAISE Act, introduced by Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 354, the RAISE Act of 2019. This legislation would cut legal immigration levels from 1 million per year to 500,000 by ending the Visa Lottery and capping refugee admissions at 50,000 per year.

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

2017: Cuts legal immigration by 50% by ending Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery (Cotton) Sen. Cotton cosponsored Sen. Tom Cottons RAISE Act, S. 354, that would cut legal immigration levels from 1 million per year to 500,000 per year by ending Chain Migration and the Visa Lottery and capping refugee admissions at 50,000 per year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2023: Sponsored S. 348 to block parole for illegal aliens who claim asylum
Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 348, the Asylum Abuse Reduction Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would block parole for aliens who arrive illegally and claim asylum and for CBP to refer them to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Further, it would block asylum for aliens who transit a third country in which they would not face persecution.

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

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

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

2016: Cosponsored legislation to increase refugees Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 2708, the Religious Persecution Relief Act. This legislation would allow for up to 10,000 Syrian religious minority refugees for at least 4 years without any reforms to the existing refugee resettlement process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2023: Sponsored S. 348 to block parole for illegal aliens who claim asylum
Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 348, the Asylum Abuse Reduction Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would block parole for aliens who arrive illegally and claim asylum and for CBP to refer them to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Further, it would block asylum for aliens who transit a third country in which they would not face persecution.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024: Sponsored S. 4459 to eliminate Birthright Citizenship 

Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 4459, the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act, introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). This bill clarifies that "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in immigration law for the purposes of birthright citizenship does not include illegal aliens, those present in the U.S. for diplomatic purposes, or those "engaged in a hostile occupation of, or a hostile operation in," the U.S. Children of other nonimmigrants and temporary visitors would still receive citizenship at birth.

2023: Sponsored S.J.Res. 5 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in DC
Sen. Cotton sponsored S.J.Res. 5 introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). The resolution would disapprove of the D.C. Council's amendment to allow noncitizens to vote in elections.

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

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

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

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

2015: Cosponsoring interior enforcement legislation Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 1640, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act. Known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress, this legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation would also require DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2013-2014: Cosponsoring H.R. 2220 to increase interior enforcement and border security (Poe) Rep. Cotton is a cosponsor of H.R. 2220, the SMART Act of 2013. The SMART Act makes efforts to achieve border security along the international border with Mexico. The bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operational control of only the Southwest border. The Secretary must then report on such actions, which will be reviewed by the GAO, and voted on by the Senate and House in a Joint Resolution of Disapproval on Operational Control within 90 days of receiving the GAOs analysis. A maximum of 10,000 additional National Guard are authorized for deployment at the request of the border state governors to aid in border control activities. The Secretary is also authorized to utilize smart technologies along areas of the border where operational control has not yet been achieved. This bill authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transfer used military equipment to appropriate Federal, State, and local law enforcement organizations, calls for an additional 1,500 CBP agents (with preferred procedures for hiring U.S. veterans), and provides grants to local Sheriffs associations for hiring new officers and to areas along the border where access to mobile communications is limited. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of DHS to implement the biometric entry-exit system at all ports of entry within 2 years. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024: Coponsored S. 3923 to strengthen overall interior enforcement 

Rep. Cotton cosponsored S. 3923, the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). The legislation would strengthen interior enforcement by reaffirming DHS authority to issue detainers for all aliens it has reason to believe are removable and prioritizing support for local jurisdictions that cooperate with immigration enforcement.

2024: Sponsored S. 4529 to require all employers to use E-Verify 

Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 4529, the Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). The legislation would require most employers to begin using the E-Verify system for all new hires within 18 months. Further, the legislation would increase fines for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers and would require the Social Security Administration to notify employers when a Social Security number is used multiple times.

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

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

2023: Sponsored S. 348 to block parole for illegal aliens who claim asylum
Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 348, the Asylum Abuse Reduction Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would block parole for aliens who arrive illegally and claim asylum and for CBP to refer them to a U.S. embassy or consulate. Further, it would block asylum for aliens who transit a third country in which they would not face persecution.

2023: Sponsored S. 333 to remove time limits on the detention of illegal aliens
Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 333, the Keep Our Communities Safe Act, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.). The legislation would allow ICE to detain illegal aliens beyond the current 6 month limit.

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

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

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

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

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

2021: Sponsored S. 42, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, to eliminate sanctuary cities Sen. Cotton sponsored S. 42, introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). The legislation would withhold certain federal funds from jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officers. It would also protect local police who cooperate in federal immigration enforcement efforts from lawsuits.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 1644 to end sanctuary cities Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 1644, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), that would end sanctuary cities. The bill would block certain federal grants to local municipalities that fail to comply with immigration detainer requests and provide immunity to local law enforcement officers who cooperate with ICE officers.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2869 to strengthen interior enforcement Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 2869, the Keep Our Communities Safe Act, introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) that would require mandatory detention for all criminal aliens, reversing the decision made in Zadvydas that limits the amount of time an alien can be detained.

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

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 599, Singhs Law, introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton. Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 599, Singhs Law of 2019. This legislation, which was endorsed by NumbersUSA, would declare association with a criminal gang in combination with a conviction for any crime to be grounds for inadmissibility to the United States and grounds for removal. The bill also bars any alien found to be a member of a gang from qualifying for asylum, Temporary Protected Status, special immigrant juvenile visas, and other forms of relief from removal, it also grants the DHS Secretary authority to designate criminal gangs under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Finally, it establishes the Ronil Singh Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to provide $200 million in federal funds a year to state and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of combating criminal gangs. State and local agencies must fully comply with federal immigration authorities in order to be eligible to receive these funds.

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

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

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

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

2017: Cosponsoring legislation to strengthen immigration laws (Grassley) Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 52, legislation that would designate an illegal alien who is or was a member of a criminal gang, or who participated in gang activity knowing that such participation will promote the gangs illegal activity, is inadmissible and deportable. The bill would also require mandatory detention of such illegal aliens.

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation to end sanctuary cities (Toomey) Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 87, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. The bill would help end sanctuary policies that aim to protect criminal aliens by defining sanctuary jurisdictions as any state or local jurisdiction that fails to communicate with federal immigration agents and refuses to comply with detainer requests. The bill would also block certain federal funds from sanctuary cities and shield local police from liability when acting on behalf of a federal immigration request.

2017: Cosponsored legislation allowing for the extended detention of illegal aliens (Inhofe) Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 36, the Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2017. This legislation would allow DHS to detain illegal aliens with final removal orders and those in removal proceedings for longer than six months. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK).

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

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

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

2015: Cosponsoring interior enforcement legislation Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 1640, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act. Known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress, this legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation would also require DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities.

2015: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 202, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act. This legislation would make E-Verify permanent; mandate E-Verify for all federal government agencies, federal contractors, and critical employers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); require employers, contractors, and subcontractors to verify all new employees within one year; increase civil penalties to between $2,500 and $5,000 for each unauthorized alien, $5,000 to $10,000 per alien for second offenses, and $10,000 to $25,000 per alien for subsequent offenses; debar repeat violators from federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements; prohibit states from weakening the E-Verify law; protect employers from liability for actions taken in good faith; allow employers to voluntarily run prospective employees through E-Verify prior to employment with the consent of the prospective employee; require all employers to verify all current employees after 3 years; require reverification for employees with limited work permits; require employers to turn information over to DHS for any employee terminated due to receiving a final non-confirmation; stipulate information sharing between SSA (Social Security Administration), DHS, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service); and impose a 20 year prison term for identity theft. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is the bills main sponsor.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to enhance and ensure immigration enforcement Sen. Cotton cosponsored S. 1842, the Protecting American Lives Act. This legislation would block all federal funding to jurisdictions that prevent law enforcement agents from fully cooperating with federal immigration agents. The bill would require that jurisdictions notify ICE when they come in lawful contact with illegal aliens. The bill would also impose mandatory sentencing requirements for illegal aliens who re-enter the country after being removed.

2014: Voted in Favor of Amendment to Investigate Release of Illegal Aliens Rep. Cotton voted in favor of the King amendment to H.R. 4660, the Commerce, Science, and Justice Appropriations Bill. This amendment would appropriate $5 million 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 in favor of amendment to deprive sanctuary cities of funds Rep. Cotton voted in favor of 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.

2013-2014: Cosponsoring bill to strengthen interior enforcement (Perry) Rep. Cotton is a cosponsor of H.R. 3611, the DHS Immigration Accountability and Transparency Act of 2013. This bill requires the Secretary of DHS to submit a detailed annual report on immigration policy directives, covering matters ranging from previous removal statistics and the estimated number of aliens present without lawful status to the number of immigration cases closed due to immigration policy directives. In response to recent reports that the Administration is “cooking the books” on its removal numbers, detailed information is required regarding the methods by which the statistics were compiled. Further, the Secretary will be required to file detailed reports on all new immigration policy directives, which include estimates of the number of aliens in the U.S. whose statuses will be modified as a result of the change. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA).

2013-2014: Cosponsoring H.R. 2220 to increase interior enforcement (Poe) Rep. Cotton is a cosponsor of H.R. 2220, the SMART Act of 2013. The SMART Act would increase interior enforcement by requiring the Secretary of DHS to implement the biometric entry-exit system at all ports of entry within 2 years. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX).