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

2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to increase chain migration (Kolbe)
Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 2330 to increase permanent, legal immigration by adding an extra 254,000 family-based visas annually. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was the primary sponsor.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Cuellar 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.

2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery in (Smith) Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program and transfers the visas to STEM categories. The visa lottery prgram grants 55,000 visa annually on a random basis to new immigrants. The bills sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.). The legislation passed 245-139. (30 Nov. 2012, 11:39 AM).

2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program, and transfers the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year. Further, student visas are reformed by adding a new STEM-based F-Visa subsection. This allows for new F-Visa applicants who are pursuing a degree in a STEM category to apply without the previously necessary intent to retain their residence in their home country. The bill received a vote of 257-158, but failed to pass the House because a 2/3rds vote was required for passage. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

2012: Cosponsored legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program, and transfers the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year. Further, student visas are reformed by adding a new STEM-based F-Visa subsection. This allows for new F-Visa applicants who are pursuing a degree in a STEM category to apply without the previously necessary intent to retain their residence in their home country. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

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

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

2023: Voted against H.R. 4367 to expand the H-2 visa programs
Rep. Cuellar voted against H.R. 4367, introduced by Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), during the committee markup. The legislation would provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security for FY2024. The legislation would allow the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, used to fill temporary and/or seasonal jobs, to be used for year round jobs. Further, the legislation would allow returning workers to be exempt from the annual cap of 66,000 for FY2024. The H-2B visa program is used to fill non-agricultural, temporary and/or seasonal jobs. The legislation, as introduced, expanded the H-2B visa program in perpetuity.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 1787 to expand the P visa program
Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 1787, the Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would add foreign carnival workers to the uncapped P Visa category.

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

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

2021: Sponsored H.R. 3897, the H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act, to increase low-skilled guest workers Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 3897, the H-2B Returning Worker Exception Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). The legislation would exempt H-2B returning workers from the previous three years from the annual cap. This would add approximately 198,000 H-2B workers each year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 1740, the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act, introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 1740, the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act. This legislation establishes a new visa for construction workers, Full-employment area is 4.9% unemployment

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

2016: Sponsored amendment to H.R. 5634 to increase H-2B visas (Harris/Cuellar) Rep. Cuellar sponsored an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2017 that would exempt foreign workers who held an H-2B visa in any of the prior three years from the FY17 cap. Effectively, the amendment could result in an additional 198,000 H-2B visas in FY17. The amendment was offered by Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).

2015: Voted to grant the President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)‚ Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of final passage of Trade Promotion Authority bill, H.R. 2146‚ (NOTE: in order to pass TPA the House of Representatives split the original bill Senate-passed bill H.R. 1314 into two bills, one dealing with Trade Promotion Authority and one dealing with the TransPacific Partnership. As a result, when the legislation came back to the Senate for a final vote, the Senate had to attach the TPA language to another House-originated bill, H.R. 2146 and vote to pass that legislation). This legislation sets up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs‚ H.R. 2146 passed the House by a vote of 218-208.

2012: Supported a motion to increase foreign worker visas Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of the motion to recommit H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012 (Rep. Lamar Smith). The bill also eliminates the visa lottery program that grants 55,00 visas annually on a random basis. This motion was an attempt by House Democrats to remove the visa lottery elimination from the bill. This motion, if passed, would have replaced the STEM Jobs Act with Rep. Zoe Lofgrens H.R. 6412, legislation that adds more than 50,000 employment based visas and NOT ended the visa lottery. The motion failed 157-231 (30 Nov. 2012, 11:31 AM).

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to drastically increase foreign-worker importation (Gutierrez).
Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 1645 to establish the H-2C guestworker program, through which 400,000 new workers (plus their spouses and minor children on an unlimited basis) may come to the United States annually. In addition, it would allow the annual cap on H-2C visas to be increased to as many as 600,000. These guestworkers would be allowed to stay up to six years, during which time they could petition for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status at any time. In addition to the H-2C provisions, the STRIVE Act would more than double the number of employment-based (EB) immigrant visas available annually; would exempt EB immigrants seeking admission to work in shortage occupations from numerical caps through fiscal year 2017; would vastly increase the cap on H-1B visas (i.e., a minimum cap of 115,000 per year); would create various permanent exemptions from numerical caps on admission for high skill aliens; would extend the authorized stay of L-1 intracompany transferee/specialized knowledge nonimmigrants (no cap on these visas) for whom applications for LPR status are pending. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to increase foreign-worker importation (Kolbe)
Rep. Cuellar was a cosponsor of H.R. 2330 to add an extra 150,000 employment-based visas (mostly for unskilled workers) each year. Additionally, it would create a brand new *guest* worker program that would bring in 400,000 unskilled workers the first year. Depending on how fast U.S. employers grabbed up those visas, the total could increase by anywhere from 10 to 20 percent each year thereafter.* Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was this bills primary sponsor.

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

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Cuellar 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. 2347 to expand asylum Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 2347, the Border and Refugee Assistance Act, introduced by Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas), that would dramatically expand the number of foreign nationals receiving asylum each year by including anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or gang violence.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2522 to prevent future border surges and reduce asylum fraud Rep. Cuellar cospsonored H.R. 2522, the HUMANE Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to prevent future border surges of UACs. The bill would allow for the ICE detention of family units, allow for UACs from non-contiguous countries to be immediately returned to their home countries, expand expedited removal, limit asylum claims to only those who cross through a port of entry, require DNA testing for family units, and hire additional border patrol staffing and immigration judges.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to increase refugee intake (Lofgren) Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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.).

2014: Cosponsored legislation to weaken border security (Cornyn) Sen. Cuellar has cosponsored H.R. 5114, legislation intended to address the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) on the Southwest border, but would actually make the situation much worse. Though the distinction between UACs from Mexico and other countries is removed, it exposes all of them to a complicated process which would further delay returning the children to their countries of origin. Further, it explicitly grants immigration judges the ability to unilaterally expunge an aliens notice to appear (NTA) or final order of removal at whim, assuming they were received between January 1, 2013, and enactment, giving eligible aliens multiple bites at the apple and setting a devastating precedent for immigration law. While the bill makes small beneficial changes like the addition of 40 new immigration judges, requires DHS to improve Border Security resources and equipment, and requires background checks on UAC sponsors, it implements provisions from the McCaul Border Security bill (H.R. 1417), which actually weakens current law while only requiring a plan to secure the border.

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

None

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

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

2023: Sponsored H.R. 16 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens
Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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.

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to more than 1 million illegal farm workers, allowing them to apply for permanent status upon working a certain number of hours in agriculture in future years.

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

2021: Sponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have granted deferred action and work authorization to approximately 2 million illegal aliens currently working in occupations that are considered to be critical infrastructure work.

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

2019: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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.

2018: Cosponsored amnesty legislation Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 60, the ENLIST Act. The ENLIST Act provides amnesty in the form of conditional legal permanent residence to aliens who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligible aliens must have been unlawfully present in the U.S. prior to 2012, continuously present in the U.S. since that date, younger than 15 upon initial entry, and otherwise eligible for enlistment. That conditional status is rescinded if the alien separates from the Armed Forces prior to completing the term of enlistment for anything other than honorable conditions. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).

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

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

2015: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 1989, 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).

2015: Voted against Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar cast a crucial YES vote in helping Pres. Obama and Speaker Boehner pass the CRomnibus that appears to fully fund the Obama amnesty through the Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies through next September, while funding the Department of Homeland Security part of the amnesty for the next couple of months. Most Democrats voted to kill the spending bill (mainly over other issues in the legislation). The net effect, though, was that Pres. Obama got his amnesty affirmed and funded mainly by a Republican Party that made opposition to amnesty one of the three main planks in their campaigns to take over Congress this fall.

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

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

2011: Cosponsoring a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of HR 1842, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2011. HR 1842 would grant amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 35 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came (illegally) to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

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

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 1741, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007. H.R. 1741 would grant amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 35 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came (illegally) to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

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

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Gutierrez).
Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 1645 to grant amnesty to nearly all of the 12 million illegal aliens in the United States by one of several routes. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

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

2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Kolbe)
Rep. Cuellar was a cosponsor of H.R. 2330 to reward virtually all illegal aliens (except those with criminal records or terrorist connections) with amnesty. This could potentially reward 9 million illegal aliens with amnesty. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was this bills primary sponsor.

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

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

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

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

2020: Voted against the Motion to Recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to protect stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Cuellar 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.

2017: Voted in favor of legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary cities Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. This legislation expands the definition of sanctuary cities and withholds DOJ and DHS grants from them, clarifies the authority of ICE detainers and grants State and local law enforcement immunity for complying with detainer requests, and expands the authority of the Secretary of DHS to detain certain criminal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

2017: Voted in favor of legislation to prevent illegal aliens receiving health insurance subsidies Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 2581, the Verify First Act. This legislation would require the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security to verify that every applicant for a healthcare exchange credit is a citizen or eligible alien before the Treasury Department could issue the tax credit. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.).

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

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

2011: Cosponsoring a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of HR 1842, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2011. HR 1842 would allow illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition at Americas public colleges and universities. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition (Berman).
Rep. Cuellar is a cosponsor of H.R. 1741, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2007. H.R. 1741 would grant illegal aliens permanent resident status and allow them to pay in-state tuition at Americas public colleges and universities. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2021: Sponsored H.R. 2045 to strengthen border security Rep. Cuellar sponsored. H.R. 2045, the BITMAP Authorization Act, introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). The legislation would authorize the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program to help identify individuals who could become security threats to the U.S. before they enter the country.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1707 to build additional border roads Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 1707, the Border Visibility and Security Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The bill would allow for the construction of border roads along the Southern border.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1626 to reimburse states for helping with border security efforts Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 1626, the State Border Security Reimbursement Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas). The legislation would reimburse states up to $2.5 billion for state-level efforts to secure the border.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7458 to extend Title 42 due to the COVID-19 pandemic Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 7458, the Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022, introduced by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine). The legislation would block for 60 days the Biden Administration from ending the Title 42 policy due to the COVID-19 pandemic that blocks illegal border crossers from claiming asylum .

2021: Sponsored H.R. 4848 to block border wall construction Rep. Cuellar sponsored H.R. 4848, the Rescinding DHS’ Waiver Authority for Border Wall Act, introduced by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.). The legislation would revoke DHS blanket waiver authority in building barriers along the border.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to hamper border security Rep. Cuellar 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.

2020: Cosponsored H.R. 5793, the Border Visibility and Security Act, to strengthen border security Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 5793, the Border Visibility and Security Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The legislation would allow for the construction of border roads along the border.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 5468, the Border Workforce Efficiency Act, to improve border security Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 5468, the Border Workforce Efficiency Act, introduced by Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.). The legislation would create Border Patrol Processing Coordinators to perform administrative tasks related to: 1) the intake and processing of individuals apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents, 2) the transport of individuals in U.S. Border Patrol custody, where necessary, and 3) to perform custodial watch duties of individuals in such custody.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2522 to prevent future border surges Rep. Cuellar cospsonored H.R. 2522, the HUMANE Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to prevent future border surges of UACs. The bill would allow for the ICE detention of family units, allow for UACs from non-contiguous countries to be immediately returned to their home countries, expand expedited removal, limit asylum claims to only those who cross through a port of entry, require DNA testing for family units, and hire additional border patrol staffing and immigration judges.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to prevent border fence completion (Lujan Grisham) Rep. Cuellar 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).

2014: Cosponsored legislation to weaken border security (Cuellar) Rep. Cuellar has cosponsored H.R. 5114, legislation to allow for the expedited removal of UACs from noncontiguous countries. This legislation also contains key parts of Rep. Mike McCauls Border Security Results Act of 2013, which weakens current law by requiring the Secretary of Defense to submit a plan to gain operational control of only the southern borders within 5 years. Operational control is met when the DHS determines that it has apprehended and turned back at least 90% of those who try to enter the U.S. illegally. Current law requires the Secretary of Defense to secure the entire border, and not just submit a plan. H.R. 5114s main sponsor is Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tex.).

2013: Cosponsoring H.R. 1417, a bill to weaken border security Rep. Cuellar is cosponsoring H.R. 1417, the Border Security Results Act of 2013, sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). Although promoted as a border security bill, the provisions of H.R. 1417 would actually weaken current immigration law. The bill addresses border security, but does little to guarantee an actual border security results. Rather than require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to gain control of U.S. Borders, this act merely requires the Secretary to submit a plan to gain operational control of only the southern borders within 5 years. Operational control is met when the DHS determines that it has apprehended and turned back at least 90% of those who try to enter the U.S. illegally.

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of the Grijalva amendment to H.R. 2578, legislation to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This amendment would have stripped provisions that allow the Border Patrol to bypass regulations put in place by the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture on federal lands within 100 miles of the border. The amendments sponsor is Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and it failed 177-247 (19 June 2012).

2012: Supported an amendment to place cell towers on the border (Poe) Rep. Cuellar supported the Poe Amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 302-113 (6 June 2012).

2011: Supported an amendment to build cell phone towers along the U.S. - Mexico border (Poe) Rep. Cuellar supported the Poe Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 327-93 (1 June 2011).

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

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

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

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to encourage illegal immigration (Cuellar).
Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 702, the Secure Border Crossing Card Entry Act of 2007. This bill would have established parity between Mexican nationals visiting the United States who possessed a valid biometric Border Crossing Card (BCC, also known as a laser visa) and have completed the necessary security checks, and Canadian visitors by allowing BCC bearers to remain in the United States for six months (Mexican nationals with BCCs may only stay in the United States for 30 days, while Canadians possessing tourist visas may stay up to one year). It also would have retained DHS authority to set the length of time those with BCCs may remain in the United States, would have authorized that agency to modify the length of admission on a case-by-case basis if good cause exists, and it would have made a Mexican national inadmissible for the BCC admission period if: (1) he/she was inadmissible as a nonimmigrant; (2) he/she had previously violated his/her nonimmigrant status; or (3) the BCC was not processed through a machine reader at the U.S. port of entry. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) was the measures main sponsor.

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

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

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

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

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

2005-2006: Cosponsored a bill to increase border patrol personnel, equipment, and training (Jackson-Lee).
Rep. Cuellar was a cosponsor of H.R. 4044 to increase border patrol efforts by providing for additional border patrol agents, additional border patrol equipment and training facilities, incentives for careers in the Border Patrol, and deployment of border patrol agents to states where a border security state of emergency has been declared. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) was the main sponsor for this bill.

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

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

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

2024: Voted in favor of H.R. 5717, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act

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

2023: Voted in favor or H.R. 2494 to strengthen interior enforcement
Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement efforts against any illegal alien who could qualify for the amnesties regardless if the alien has applied or not.

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

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

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

2020: Voted against H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on House floor Sen. Cuellar voted against 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 H.R. 2522 to prevent future border surges Rep. Cuellar cospsonored H.R. 2522, the HUMANE Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to prevent future border surges of UACs. The bill would allow for the ICE detention of family units, allow for UACs from non-contiguous countries to be immediately returned to their home countries, expand expedited removal, limit asylum claims to only those who cross through a port of entry, require DNA testing for family units, and hire additional border patrol staffing and immigration judges.

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

2019: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Cuellar 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 against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent weakening interior enforcement Rep. Cuellar 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: 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar 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. Cuellar voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill reduces the funding for detention beds used by ICE to detain criminal aliens and recent illegal border crossers. It also provides protection from enforcement and removal for the illegal-alien sponsors and their families of unaccompanied alien children who cross the border illegally. Further, it prevents the hiring of any new ICE agents for Enforcement and Removal Operations.

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 6417, the AG and Legal Workforce Act, to mandate E-Verify Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 6417 that would require all employers to use E-Verify. The legislation would also reform the H-2A agricultural guestworker program. The bill includes Rep. Lamar Smiths (R-Texas) Legal Workforce Act. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) is the lead sponsor of the legislation.

2017: Voted in favor of legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary cities Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. This legislation expands the definition of sanctuary cities and withholds DOJ and DHS grants from them, clarifies the authority of ICE detainers and grants State and local law enforcement immunity for complying with detainer requests, and expands the authority of the Secretary of DHS to detain certain criminal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to prevent border fence completion (Lujan Grisham) Rep. Cuellar 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).

2017: Cosponsored H.R. 82 (Babin) to stop issuance of visas to recalcitrant nations Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 82, the Criminal Alien Deportation Enforcement Act. This legislation would prohibit the issuance of visas to countries that refuse to repatriate deported aliens. Approximately 384,000 foreign nationals enter the country each year from recalcitrant countries. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Brian Babin (R-Tex.).

2017: Cosponsored H.R. 5224 (Babin) to cut visas to recalcitrant countries Rep. Cuellar cosponsored H.R. 5224, the Criminal Alien Deportation Enforcement Act. This legislation would prohibit the issuance of visas to countries that refuse to repatriate deported aliens. Approximately 384,000 foreign nationals enter the country each year from recalcitrant countries. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas).

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

2013: Cosponsoring H.R. 1417, a bill to weaken border security that could potentially terminate biometric entry/exit system Rep. Cuellar is cosponsoring H.R. 1417, the Border Security Results Act of 2013, sponsored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). Although promoted as a border security bill, the provisions of H.R. 1417 would actually weaken current immigration law. The bill addresses border security, but does little to guarantee an actual border security results. Furthermore, DHS is required to submit a plan for an entry/exit system (which is already required by law), and can develop an alternate strategy within 2 years if a biometric entry/exit system is not feasible, thereby weakening interior enforcement.

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to protect the 287(g) program (Sullivan) Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of the Sullivan amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. The amendment would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from terminating 287(g) agreements. The amendment, offered by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Ok.), passed by a 250-164 vote (7 June 2012).

2011: Supported an amendment to keep violent illegal aliens in custody (Cravaack) Rep. Cuellar supported the Cravaack Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Cravaacks amendment would prevent the government from releasing convicted violent or dangerous illegal aliens while they are awaiting deportation. The amendment passed 289-131 (2 June 2011).

2011: Opposed an amendment to defund the 287(g) program (Polis) Rep. Cuellar opposed the Polis Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Polis amendment would have removed all funding for the 287(g) program from the bill, thereby preventing DHS from administering the program (effectively killing the 287(g) program). The amendment failed by a vote of 313-107 (2 June 2011).

2011: Voted in favor of an amendment to increase 287(g) funding (Royce) Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of the Royce Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would increase funding for the 287(g) program by $1 million (about 18.5%). The amendment passed by a vote of 268-151 (1 June 2011).

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

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

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

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

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

2007: Voted for 2nd Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 2638, thereby voting to hold cities with sanctuary policies accountable. Rep. Cuellar voted in favor of the amendment to H.R. 2638. The amendment prohibits funds pursuant to this bill from being distributed to states and localities that have sanctuary policies in place that prohibit or inhibit communications between Federal and state/local authorities. The amendment passed 234-189 on June 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2005-2006: Cosponsored a bill to increase immigration inspectors for border security (Jackson-Lee).
Rep. Cuellar was a cosponsor of H.R. 4044 to increase interior enforcement by providing for additional immigration inspectors, additional immigration enforcement agents, and additional detention beds. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) was the main sponsor of this bill.

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

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

None

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