2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to increase chain migration with new green cards.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would increase family-based and employment green cards by 50,000 annually for five fiscal years.  This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to increase chain migration with new green cards.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would increase family-based and employment green cards by 50,000 annually for five fiscal years.  This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to increase chain migration with new green cards.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would increase family-based and employment green cards by 50,000 annually for five fiscal years.

2013: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to expand chain migration (Schumer) Sen. Murphy in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2013: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery (Schumer) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, leading to the bills final passage. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States, both visa traditional work visas and via chain migration. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor. The legislation passed 32-68 (27 June 2013).

2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Murphy 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).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to greatly increase unnecessary workers.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would provide a massive surge of cheap labor by handing out 50,000 additional green cards annually for five years, providing amnesty to around 250,000 dependents of H1B aliens who would otherwise age out, and granting instant automatic employment authorization to aliens seeking asylum. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to greatly increase unnecessary workers.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would provide a massive surge of cheap labor by handing out 50,000 additional green cards annually for five years, providing amnesty to around 250,000 dependents of H1B aliens who would otherwise age out, and granting instant automatic employment authorization to aliens seeking asylum. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to greatly increase unnecessary workers.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would provide a massive surge of cheap labor by handing out 50,000 additional green cards annually for five years, providing amnesty to around 250,000 dependents of H1B aliens who would otherwise age out, and granting instant automatic employment authorization to aliens seeking asylum.

2022: Sponsored S. 3638 to increase STEM visas Sen. Murphy sponsored S. 3638, the Keep STEM Talent Act of 2021, introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The legislation would exempt foreign students who earn a masters degree or higher in a STEM field from a U.S. institution and have an offer of employment.

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Murphy 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: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Murphy 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 Sen. Murphy 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 Sen. Murphy 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 Sen. Murphy 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 H.R. 2146 to grant President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Sen. Murphy voted 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 Adjustment Assistance and one dealing with the TransPacific Partnership. As a result, when the legislation came back to the Senate for a final vote, the Senate had to attach the TPA language to another House-originated bill, H.R. 2146 and vote to pass that legislation). This legislation would set up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs. H.R. 2146 passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38.

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

2013: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to increase foreign worker visas (Schumer) Sen. Murphy in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2012: Cosponsored legislation to increase foreign worker imports (Lofgren) Rep. Murphy cosponsored legislation that would provide 50,000 work visas to aliens who have a masters degree or higher in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), from a U.S. institution of higher education. Visas that are unused by the end of each financial year continue past the end of the year. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D - Cal.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to reduce asylum fraud.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would grant employment authorization instantly to asylum seekers, provide adjustment of status for Afghan nationals illegally paroled into the country, and create a new SIV program for Afghans. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to reduce asylum fraud.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would grant employment authorization instantly to asylum seekers, provide adjustment of status for Afghan nationals illegally paroled into the country, and create a new SIV program for Afghans. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to reduce asylum fraud.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would grant employment authorization instantly to asylum seekers, provide adjustment of status for Afghan nationals illegally paroled into the country, and create a new SIV program for Afghans.

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

2021: Sponsored S. 1996 to expand refugee and asylum numbers Sen. Murphy sponsored S. 1996, the GLOBE Act, introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The legislation would qualify sexual orientation or gender identity under the social groups provision of refugee/asylum law. This change would immediately qualify an estimated 640 million foreign citizens for refugee or asylum status in the U.S.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to weaken enforcement and encourage border surges Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The bill would severely limit the separation of families, lock in the Flores Settlement Agreement limiting the amount of time minors can be detained, remove the federal prohibition on taxpayer-funded council for illegal aliens, and increases the number of immigration judges.

2019: Cosponsored S. 292, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 292, the Keep Families Together Act of 2019. This legislation would effectively bar the removal of a child from a parent within 100 miles of the border, creating a large incentive for more illegal aliens to attempt to come to the United States and take advantage of children to do so.

2017: Cosponsored legislation nullifying Pres. Trumps Refugee Resettlement executive order (Murphy) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 549. This legislation would nullify Pres. Trumps Jan. 27, 2017 executive order that reduced the refugee cap from 85,000 to 50,000 for FY17. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to nullify President Trumps refugee executive order (Murphy) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 248. This legislation would nullify Executive Order 13769, thereby increasing the refugee cap by 35,000. The legislations main sponsor is Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

2017: Cosponsored legislation nullifying Pres. Trumps Refugee Resettlement executive order (Feinstein) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 608. This legislation would nullify Pres. Trumps Jan. 27, 2017 executive order that reduced the refugee cap from 85,000 to 50,000 for FY17. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to nullify President Trumps refugee executive order (Feinstein) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 274. This legislation would nullify Executive Order 13769, thereby increasing the refugee cap by 35,000. The legislations main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to nullify President Trumps refugee executive order (Feinstein) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 240. This legislation would nullify Executive Order 13769, thereby increasing the refugee cap by 35,000. The legislations main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to increase Refugee Resettlement (Graham) Sen. Murphy has cosponsored S. 2145, the Middle East Refugee Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. The bill would provide funding to increase the number of refugees resettled in the United States each year from an average of 70,000 to 100,000 per year. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-Ariz.).

2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase refugee resettlement Sen. Murphy 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.

2013: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to increase refugee and asylum fraud (Schumer) Sen. Murphy in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2007: Voted against an amendment to reduce the time period of a countrys temporary protected status. Rep. Murphy 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.

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to grant amnesty to undocumented “Dreamers.”
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would provide lawful status for the dependents of H-1B aliens after they would otherwise age out of dependent status and allow them to apply for indefinite employment authorization. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to grant amnesty to undocumented “Dreamers.”
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would provide lawful status for the dependents of H-1B aliens after they would otherwise age out of dependent status and allow them to apply for indefinite employment authorization. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to grant amnesty to undocumented “Dreamers.”
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would provide lawful status for the dependents of H-1B aliens after they would otherwise age out of dependent status and allow them to apply for indefinite employment authorization.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to weaken enforcement and encourage border surges Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The bill would severely limit the separation of families, lock in the Flores Settlement Agreement limiting the amount of time minors can be detained, remove the federal prohibition on taxpayer-funded council for illegal aliens, and increases the number of immigration judges.

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

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation granting amnesty to Ag workers (Feinstein) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 1034, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3 million agricultural workers. The bill would also prevent prosecution of illegal aliens who receive the amnesty from identity theft if they used a stolen social security number to obtain a job. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

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

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

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

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

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

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

2014: Voted Against Blocking Obamas Mass Amnesty Sen. Murphy voted against the Point of Order raised by Sen. Ted Cruz as to the constitutionality of the executive amnesty issued by President Obama. Doing so during a vote on H.R. 83, the CROmnibus, acted as a vote to stop this unlawful amnesty, and a vote against Sen. Cruzs Point of Order was a vote in favor of the presidents amnesty.

None

2013: Voted in favor of an amendment designed to pass overall amnesty bill (Schumer-Corker-Hoeven) Sen.Murphy voted in favor of the Schumer-Corker-Hoeven amendment to S. 744, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty legislation. This amendment was a political ploy by pro-amnesty Senators to pass a bill (S. 744) that was otherwise headed for defeat. As such, a vote in favor of the amendment is graded here as a vote in favor of the full S. 744 amnesty. The Schumer-Corker-Hoeven amendment promised a so-called border surge after 11-18 million illegal aliens receive legal protected status, work permits, and de facto amnesty. In fact, however, the amendment would weaken current law (calling for entry-exit system at only airports and seaports as opposed to all ports of entry and calling for single layer border fencing as opposed to double-layer fencing) and weaken the already-loose enforcement provisions of S. 744 by setting up a rolling amnesty for future visa overstayers. The amendment was designed to give cover to Senators who could claim they supported strong border security amendments by voting for the amendment and then voting for final passage of the bill. The amendment passed 67-27 (24 June 2013).

2013: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to amnesty illegal aliens (Schumer) Sen. Murphy in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2011: Cosponsoring a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty Rep. Murphy 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.

2015: Voted AGAINST FOURTH Motion to Proceed to Debate on DHS Appropriations bill (H.R. 240) to defund Executive Amnesty Sen. Murphy voted AGAINST cloture to allow the Senate to proceed to debate on H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill that includes language to de-fund President Obamas Executive Amnesties, including DACA and his November 2014 amnesty that would provide legal status and work permits for up to 5 million illegal aliens. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 240 in January 2015 by a vote of 236-191. Despite campaign statements from several Democratic Senators in November 2014 opposing Executive Amnesty, none of the Senate Democrats voted to allow the bill to come to the Senate floor for debate because it contains language de-funding the amnesties. President Obama has repeatedly said he will veto any legislation that defunds his Executive Amnesties, including a DHS Appropriations bill. As a reminder, DHS was only funded on a short-term (3 months) basis during the CROmnibus spending fight in December 2014 to allow Republicans to attempt to de-fund Executive Amnesty once they took control of the House and Senate in the 114th Congress. DHS funding runs out at the end of February 2015 unless the Senate passes an Appropriations bill and sends it to the Presidents desk, forcing him to decide if he will shut down DHS funding in order to protect his Executive Amnesties. The vote on the FOURTH motion to proceed to debate failed by a vote of 47 - 46 (60 votes required for passage).

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation granting amnesty to Ag workers (Feinstein) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 1034, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3 million agricultural workers. The bill would also prevent prosecution of illegal aliens who receive the amnesty from identity theft if they used a stolen social security number to obtain a job. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

2013: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to amnesty illegal aliens (Schumer) Sen. Murphy in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2011: Cosponsoring a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition Rep. Murphy 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: Voted against allowing consideration of verification amendments to the health care reform bill Rep. Murphy 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. Murphy 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: Voted against a committee amendment to prevent illegal aliens from accessing taxpayer-funded health care.
Rep. Murphy voted against the Deal amendment to H.R. 3200 in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which would have prevented illegal aliens from receiving free taxpayer-funded health care. The promise of free health care induces many individuals to come to this country illegally and encourages illegal aliens to remain in the United States. The amendment failed 28-29. By opposing this amendment, Rep. Murphy supported the right of illegal aliens to receive health care intended for U.S. citizens and authorized legal aliens.

2008: Voted for an amendment to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds.
Rep. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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.

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to allow 5,000 illegal entries per day.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would codify chaos at the border by allowing up to 5,000 illegal entries per day before border closure is required. The requirements for border closure are time-limited, and much discretion is placed in the hands of the President and his staff to determine how and when to use the authority provided. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361 to allow 5,000 illegal entries per day.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture on S. 4361, the Border Act of 2024, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). This legislation would codify chaos at the border by allowing up to 5,000 illegal entries per day before border closure is required. The requirements for border closure are time-limited, and much discretion is placed in the hands of the President and his staff to determine how and when to use the authority provided. This is similar to the earlier border legislation introduced by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

2024: Voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815 to allow 5,000 illegal entries per day.
Sen. Murphy voted in favor of S.Amdt.1388 to H.R.815, introduced by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Chuch Schumer (D-NY). This legislation would codify chaos at the border by allowing up to 5,000 illegal entries per day before border closure is required. The requirements for border closure are time-limited, and much discretion is placed in the hands of the President and his staff to determine how and when to use the authority provided.

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

2022: Sponsored S. 3058 to cut funding for border security Sen. Murphy sponsored S. 3058, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). The legislation would cut funding for border security activities, return $2 billion in border barrier funding to the Treasury, fund barrier removal on public lands, reduce ICE detention capacity, among other things.

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

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

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

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

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to weaken enforcement and encourage border surges Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The bill would severely limit the separation of families, lock in the Flores Settlement Agreement limiting the amount of time minors can be detained, remove the federal prohibition on taxpayer-funded council for illegal aliens, and increases the number of immigration judges.

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation nullifying Pres. Trumps border security EO (Carper) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 725. This legislation would nullify Pres. Trumps Jan. 25, 2017 executive order that improves border security and strengthens interior enforcement. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE).

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

2013: Voted in favor of legislation to increase border security (Schumer) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, leading to the bills final passage. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States, both visa traditional work visas and via chain migration. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor. The legislation passed 32-68 (27 June 2013).

2013: Voted against amendment to increase border security (Cornyn) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of tabling the Cornyn amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This amendment would have required 90% operational security along the entire U.S. - Mexico border before illegal aliens could receive citizenship. The amendment failed 43-54 (20 June 2013).

2013: Voted against an amendment to increase border security (Paul) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of tabling the Paul amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Sen. Pauls amendment would have required Congressional approval before RPI status was given to illegal aliens and required completion of the border fence. The amendment failed 37-61 (19 June 2013).

2013: Voted against amendment to ensure border security (Lee) Sen. Murphy voted against the Lee amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The amendment would have required Congress to sign off on DHS implementation of border security strategies and certify that the strategies are operational. As the bill is written, there is no Congressional oversight or approval needed. The amendment failed 39-52, with a 3/5ths vote needed for passage (19 June 2013).

2013: Voted against amendment to build double-layered border fence (Thune) Sen. Murphy voted against the Thune amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Sen. Thunes amendment would have required the completion of the 350 miles of reinforced, double-layered fencing described in section 102(b)(1)(A) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status could be granted and to require the completion of 700 miles of such fencing before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be adjusted to permanent resident status. The amendment failed 39-54, with a 3/5ths vote necessary for passage (18 June 2013).

2013: Voted against amendment to ensure effective control of the border (Grassley) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of tabling the Grassley amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The amendment would have prohibited the granting of registered provisional immigrant status until the Secretary has maintained effective control of the borders for 6 months. As written, illegal aliens receive RPI status almost immediately after the bills passage. The amendment failed 43-57 (13 June 2013).

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphys 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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.

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

2022: Sponsored S. 3058 to cut funding for interior enforcement Sen. Murphy sponsored S. 3058, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022, introduced by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). The legislation would cut funding for border security activities, return $2 billion in border barrier funding to the Treasury, fund barrier removal on public lands, reduce ICE detention capacity, among other things.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, to weaken enforcement and encourage border surges Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 2113, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The bill would severely limit the separation of families, lock in the Flores Settlement Agreement limiting the amount of time minors can be detained, remove the federal prohibition on taxpayer-funded council for illegal aliens, and increases the number of immigration judges.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2097 that would weaken interior enforcement Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 2097, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), that would prohibit ICE from detaining illegal aliens in certain locations.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Murphy 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: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Murphy 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.

2019: Cosponsored S. 197, the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act, introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 197, the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2019. This legislation would prohibit DHS or ICE from using DACA documentation to arrest or detain illegal aliens.

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

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation weakening interior enforcement (Blumenthal) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 845, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. This legislation would prevent federal immigration agents from detaining illegal aliens in certain public places. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

2017: Cosponsored legislation to inhibit enforcement actions (Heinrich) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 229, the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act of 2017. This legislation would prohibit DHS or ICE from using DACA documentation to arrest or detain illegal aliens.

2017: Cosponsored legislation nullifying Pres. Trumps border security EO (Carper) Sen. Murphy cosponsored S. 725. This legislation would nullify Pres. Trumps Jan. 25, 2017 executive order that improves border security and strengthens interior enforcement. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE).

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

2015: Cosponsored legislation to weaken the visa waiver program (Schumer) Sen. Murphy has cosponsored S. 2091, the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2015. The bill weakens interior enforcement by allowing the Department of Homeland Security to waive the maximum refusal rate used to determine if a country is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. The bill was introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

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

2013: Voted in favor of legislation to mandate use of the E-Verify system (Schumer) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of invoking cloture of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, leading to the bills final passage. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States, both visa traditional work visas and via chain migration. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor. The legislation passed 32-68 (27 June 2013).

2013: Voted against an amendment to implement full entry/exit system (Paul) Sen. Murphy voted in favor of tabling the Paul amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. Sen. Pauls amendment would have required implementation of a biometric entry/exit system at all points of entry. The amendment failed 37-61 (19 June 2013).

2013: Voted against amendment to require biometric entry/exit system (Vitter) Sen. Murphy voted against the Vitter amendment to S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This amendment would have required the implementation of a biometric entry/exit system (the US-VISIT System) at all ports of entry before illegal aliens could be granted temporary legal status or citizenship. Sen. Vitters amendment failed 36-58, with a 3/5ths vote being required for passage (18 June 2013).

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

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

2011: Supported an amendment to restrict local enforcement (Polis) Rep. Murphy voted in favor of the Polis Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Polis amendment would have removed all funding for the 287(g) program from the bill, thereby preventing DHS from administering the program (effectively killing the 287(g) program). The amendment failed by a vote of 313-107 (2 June 2011).

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

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify.
Rep. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy 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. Murphy has not signed the Discharge Petition on H.R. 4088, the SAVE Act, to require use of the electronic employment eligibility verification system, E-Verify. If the petition collects 218 signatures, a simple majority, the bill can bypass the committee process and be placed on the House floor for a vote.

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

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

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to reduce funding for the visa waiver program.
Rep. Murphy 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.