2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to double chain migration
Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to increase the Visa Lottery by 50%
Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to expand immigrant and nonimmigrant worker visas
Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

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

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7585 to grant green cards to doctors Rep. Ruiz sponsored H.R. 7585, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.). The legislation would extend the CONRAD 30 program that allows medical school foreign graduates to get green cards who work in medically underserved communities and exempts them from annual numerical caps.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Ruiz 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 increase unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Ruiz 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 against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled legal immigration Rep. Ruiz voted against 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. Ruiz 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: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled illegal immigration Rep. Ruiz 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 the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Ruiz voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill allows for the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of H-2B guest worker visas issued in FY2019.

2018: Voted in favor of the Omnibus Spending Bill to increase H-2B visas Rep. Ruiz 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.Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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 against granting the President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)‚ Rep. Ruiz voted in favor against 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to add 25,000 asylum visas over 10 years
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 8685 to grant amnesty to Afghan evacuees Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. 2217 to encourage border surges of UACs Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 2217, the Families, Not Facilities Act, introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), that would encourage future border surges limiting the detention of unaccompanied alien minors (UACs). The bill would prohibit the use of information provided by the UAC to apprehend, detain, or remove illegal aliens associated with the UAC. Further, it would transfer money away from immigration enforcement and to the agencies that handle the resettlement of UACs.

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, to weaken enforcement and increase refugee fraud Rep. Ruiz 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.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to increase refugee intake (Lofgren) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 1503, the SOLVE Act 2.0. This legislation would nullify President Donald Trumps Executive Order 13780, which temporarily halted refugee intake from terrorist-producing countries. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Cal).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to increase refugee numbers (Lofgren) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 724, the SOLVE Act of 2017. This legislation would nullify Executive Order 13769, thereby increasing the refugee cap by 35,000. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Cal.).

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

2025: (Jan. 22) Rep. Ruiz voted against 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.)

2024: Voted against H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to hold the federal government accountable for immigration parole abuse
Rep. Ruiz voted against 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. 3194 to grant amnesty to 11 million illegal aliens
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 16 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens
Rep. Ruiz 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: Voted against H.R. 2 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Rep. Ruiz 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. 1511 to expand amnesties for illegal aliens indefinitely
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 8433 to create a registry amnesty Rep. Ruiz sponsored H.R. 8433 introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Texas). The legislation would require any illegal aliens who has been in the U.S. continuously for 7 years to be eligible for a green card.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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 grant a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Ruiz 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 against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Ruiz voted against 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. Ruiz 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 for H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. Ruiz 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 amnesty legislation Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 4796, the USA Act of 2018. This legislation would amnesty all illegal aliens who entered the U.S. as minors prior to December 31, 2013. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.).

2017: Cosponsored the Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard to grant amnesty to young illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service in (Denham) Rep. Ruiz 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 King amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Ruiz 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.

2016: Voted against Gosar amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Ruiz 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.

2015: Voted against Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2013-2014: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service (Denham) Rep. Ruiz is a cosponsor of H.R. 2377, 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).

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

Rep. Ruiz voted against the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) to require states to verify the citizenship status of voters.

The SAVE Act (by Chip Roy, R-TX) would require states to verify the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote in federal elections and to remove non-citizens currently on voter rolls. (The bill passed the House 220-208 and proceeds to the Senate for consideration).
 

2023: Voted against H.J.Res. 24 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in the District of Columbia
Rep. Ruiz voted against 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: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Ruiz 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 against the Motion to Recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to protect stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to provide stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 641, the Agricultural Worker Program Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Ruiz 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.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to provide DREAMers with legal aid (Correa) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 858, the DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act. This legislation would force the government to donate funds to organizations that provide legal aid to illegal aliens who qualified for President Obamas illegal DACA executive actions. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Luis Correa (D-Cal.).

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

Rep. Ruiz voted against 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 House 216-214 and the Senate 51-48).

Rep. Ruiz voted against the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 35) to make evading CBP a criminal offense.

The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (by Juan Ciscomani, R-AZ) makes it a criminal offense to evade CBP or other authorities assisting CBP using a motor vehicle within 100 miles of the border. Those convicted, and who are unlawfully present, are permanently ineligible for legal status, including asylum. (The bill passed 264-155 and will be considered by the Senate.)

Rep. Ruiz voted against the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) to fund border security.

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) 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 House 217-215, setting up a conference with the Senate).

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to encourage border surges
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2 to strengthen border security
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to hamper border security Rep. Ruiz 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. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to prevent border fence completion (Lujan Grisham) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 837, the Build Bridges Not Walls Act. This legislation would prevent the government from acting on any executive order issued by the president that requires the building of a border fence or wall. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM).

Rep. Ruiz voted against 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 House 216-214 and the Senate 51-48).

Rep. Ruiz voted against the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) to fund interior enforcement.

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) 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 House 217-215, setting up a conference with the Senate).

2025: (Jan. 22) Rep. Ruiz voted against 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.)

Rep. Ruiz voted against the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (H.R. 30) to make various forms of domestic abuse a deportable offense.

The Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (by Nancy Mace, SC) would make aliens deportable from and inadmissible to the United States if they. are convicted of or have admitted to various crimes, including domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, sexual offenses, and violations of certain protection orders. (The bill passed 274-145 and has not yet been considered by the Senate.)

2023: Voted against H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to increase interior enforcement
Rep. Ruiz voted against 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. Ruiz 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: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to prohibit most deportations
Rep. Ruiz 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.

2023: Voted against H.R. 2494 to strengthen interior enforcement
Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Ruiz 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2217 to encourage border surges of UACs Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 2217, the Families, Not Facilities Act, introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), that would encourage future border surges limiting the detention of unaccompanied alien minors (UACs). The bill would prohibit the use of information provided by the UAC to apprehend, detain, or remove illegal aliens associated with the UAC. Further, it would transfer money away from immigration enforcement and to the agencies that handle the resettlement of UACs.

2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Ruiz voted against 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. Ruiz 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: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Ruiz 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. 3401, the border crisis supplemental funding bill, to facilitate the continued trafficking of children along the Southern border Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to prevent border fence completion (Lujan Grisham) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored H.R. 837, the Build Bridges Not Walls Act. This legislation would prevent the government from acting on any executive order issued by the president that requires the building of a border fence or wall. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM).

2015: Weakens interior enforcement by expanding visa waiver program (Heck) Rep. Ruiz cosponsored Rep. Joe Hecks Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act, H.R.1401, would allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive the maximum refusal rate to allow a certain country to qualify for the visa waiver program. The visa waiver program allows citizens from qualifying countries to legally enter the United States without a visa.

2014: Voted Against Amendment to Investigate Release of Illegal Aliens Rep. Ruiz 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. Ruiz 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.

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

Rep. Ruiz 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. 1511 to expand amnesties for illegal aliens indefinitely
Rep. Ruiz 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.