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

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7374 to expand legal immigration Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 7374, the Jumpstart Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would recapture and issue all the so-called unused green cards since 1991 from both the employment-based and family-preference green card categories. It would also recapture and issue unused Visa Lottery green cards.

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

2017: Cosponsored the American Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Nydia Velazquez, to increase chain migration Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4253, the American Promise Act. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 300,000 illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status, thereby allowing them to sponsor their immediate family for green cards. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.).

2005-2006: Cosponsored the Save Act to increase chain migration (Jackson Lee)
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2092 to double to 960,000 the number of visas available to family-based immigrants and it would grant nonimmigrant status to any would-be family-based immigrant for whom a visa is not immediately available. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) was the primary sponsor of this bill.

2004: Cosponsored SOLVE Act to increase chain migration (Gutierrez).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4262, a bill to increase chain migration by increasing the number of family visas and exempting from the family-based visa ceiling all immediate relatives. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

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

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7374 to expand legal immigration Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 7374, the Jumpstart Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would recapture and issue all the so-called unused green cards since 1991 from both the employment-based and family-preference green card categories. It would also recapture and issue unused Visa Lottery green cards.

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

2005-2006: Voted against a bill to eliminate visa lottery.
Rep. DeGette 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 against an amendment to eliminate visa lottery.
Rep. DeGette voted on the floor of the House against 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.

2005-2006: Cosponsored Save Act to increase visa lottery (Jackson Lee)
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2092 to double to 110,000 the number of visas that are given away on the basis of a random lottery each year. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) was the primary sponsor.

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

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

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7374 to expand legal immigration Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 7374, the Jumpstart Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would recapture and issue all the so-called unused green cards since 1991 from both the employment-based and family-preference green card categories. It would also recapture and issue unused Visa Lottery green cards.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette voted in favor of H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.). The legislation authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to double the number of H-2B low-skill, non-agricultural visas for FY2022. Further, the legislation reauthorizes the EB-5 investor visa program. The legislation was signed into law.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to increase unnecessary foreign workers Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Voted in favor of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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.

2017: Cosponsored the Small and Seasonal Business Relief Act, introduced by Rep. Jack Bergman, to increase the number of low-skilled guest workers Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4207, the Small and Seasonal Business Relief Act. This legislation would have tripled the number of H-2B visas issue for 2 years. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.).

2017: Voted in favor of increasing foreign worker visas Rep.DeGette voted in favor of H.R. 244, the 2017 omnibus spending bill. A provision of the bill allows DHS to raise the H-2B cap by 70,000 in 2017 by excluding returning H-2B workers. The spending bill, and the H-2B provision, covers half of 2017.

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

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

2012: Cosponsored legislation to increase foreign worker imports (Lofgren) Rep. DeGette 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.).

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

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

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

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

2004: Cosponsored SOLVE Act to increase foreign worker limit (Gutierrez).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4262 to increase annual limits on guestworkers. It would have increased the annual limit on H-2B visas to 100,000 and created a new H-1D visa for up to 250,000 guestworkers a year who are not covered by other visa categories. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Voted in favor of a bill to increase foreign-worker visas (DeLay).
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Chile Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2738, that would permit an unlimited number of tech and professional workers from Chile to enter the U.S. on L-1 visas. H.R. 2738, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 270-156.

2003-2004: Voted for a bill to create worker importation program (DeLay).
Rep. DeGette voted for the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739 that would permit an unlimited number of Singaporeans to enter the U.S. as temporary workers. H.R. 2739, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 272-155.

1998: Voted against a bill to double H-1B foreign high-tech workers (Smith).
Rep. DeGette opposed passage of H.R.3736, which ultimately increased by nearly 150,000 the number of foreign workers that high-tech American companies could hire over the next three years. The primary sponsor was Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

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

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

2021: Sponsored H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. DeGette sponsored 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.

2021: Sponsored. H.R. 2237, the GRACE Act, to increase refugee admissions Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2237, the GRACE Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would establish a new floor for refugee admissions at 125,000 per year.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2146 to establish a floor for refugee resettlement Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2146, the GRACE Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), that would set a floor for refugee resettlement at 95,000 per year.

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

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

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

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

2004: Voted against bill to reduce asylum fraud (Hastert)
Rep. DeGette voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.

2004: Voted against reducing asylum fraud by voting in favor of amendment (Smith) to strip provision making it harder for terrorists to get asylum
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Smith Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 the asylum provision to make it harder for terrorists to receive asylum in the U.S. by no longer allowing aliens who allege they will be persecuted because of terrorist ties to automatically receive asylum based on that claim. The Smith Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), failed by a vote of 197-219.

2004: Voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.

2004: Voted in favor of Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip asylum fraud reducing provisions from H.R. 10
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.

2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.

2025: (Jan. 22) Rep. DeGette voted against the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) to prevent a type of amnesty through abuse of parole.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.)

2025: (Jan. 07) Rep. DeGette voted against the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29) to prevent a type of amnesty through abuse of parole.
The Laken Riley Act (by Mike Collins, R-GA) included a provision giving legal standing to states to sue the federal government if it abuses its authority by giving parole (a form of amnesty) to classes of inadmissible aliens instead of on a case by case basis. (The bill passed 264-159, but was not considered by the Senate which focused on passing its own version, S. 5.)

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

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

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

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

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. 2766, the Families Belong Together Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2766, the Families Belong Together Act, introduced by Joaquin Castro (D-Texas). The legislation would provide humanitarian parole and a path to citizenship to parents and children who were separated during Pres. Trumps tenure.

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

2021: Sponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4303, the Bahamas TPS Act of 2019, to grant amnesty to Bahamian illegal aliens Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4303, the Bahamas TPS Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.). The legislation would prove Temporary Protected Status to Bahamians who arrive before the bills enactment or are currently in the country illegally.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to grant a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Voted for H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3.2 million illegal aliens who claim that they came to the United States prior to the age of 18 and meet certain requirements. The legislation would also issue green cards to approximately 430,000 foreign citizens who have received Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Most TPS recipients were in the United States illegally prior to receiving the designation.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). This legislation would severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to separate children from parents or legal guardians except for the case of: 1) terminated legal rights, 2) child trauma agencies determine its best, or 3) trafficking/not parent/danger of abuse. $10,000 fine for violation. The legislation would also ban the prosecution of asylum seekers who cross the border illegally for improper entry until after their claim has been adjudicated. 180 BAD in Amnesty

2017: Cosponsored the American Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Nydia Velazquez, to grant amnesty to TPS recipients Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4253, the American Promise Act. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 300,000 illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.).

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

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

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

2015: Voted against Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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 against legislation to end DACA (Blackburn) Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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 AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by granting amnesty (Berman).
Rep. DeGette 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.

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty (Berman).
Rep. DeGette 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.

2007-2008: Cosponsored the American Dream Act, which would have rewarded illegal immigrants with in-state tuition and legal status (Berman).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 1275, the American Dream Act. This bill would make illegal aliens eligible for in-state tuition and would allow DHS to grant illegal college students legal status. This bill would encourage illegal immigration and reward illegal immigrants, as well as harming legal students. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

2006: Voted against an amendment that denies temporary amnesty for certain Central Americans.
Rep. DeGette 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 Save Act to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Jackson Lee)
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2092 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens who have been in the United States for the past five years, who are able to marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or find an employer willing to sponsor them, who are Haitian or Liberian, or who have been granted Temporary Protected Status. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) was this bills primary sponsor.

2004: Cosponsored SOLVE Act to reward all illegal aliens with amnesty (Gutierrez).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4262, an amnesty that could potentially have applied to virtually all of the 10.3 million illegal aliens estimated to have been in the country in March, 2004, plus their spouses and children. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Cosponsored a bill to reward college-age illegal aliens with amnesty (Cannon).
H.R. 1684 was a defacto amnesty to grant legal status to certain college-age illegal aliens who would qualify to receive in-state tuition rates. An estimated 500,000 to 600,000 illegal aliens would have qualified for this amnesty. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

2002: Voted for a resolution to reward illegal immigrants with the Section 245(i) amnesty.
Rep. DeGette voted for H RES 365, a four-month extension of Section 245(i), an amnesty for illegal aliens that rewards illegal immigrants with residency by allowing certain illegal aliens to pay a 1,000 fine, to apply for a green card in this country, and to stay without fear of deportation. H RES 365, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), passed by a vote of 275 to 137.

2001-2002: Voted for a bill to extend an illegal immigrant amnesty act (Gekas).
Rep. DeGette voted to reward illegal immigrants with amnesty by voting in favor of H.R. 1885, or a four-month extension of Section 245(i). The bills primary sponsor was Rep. George Gekas (R-Penn).

2001-2002: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens receiving in-state tuition with amnesty (Cannon).
H.R. 1918 would have granted a defacto amnesty by granting legal status to certain college-age illegal aliens who would qualify to receive in-state tuition rates. An estimated 500,000 to 600,000 illegal aliens would have qualified for this amnesty. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

1998: cosponsored a bill to award amnesty to illegal aliens (Gutierrez).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R.3553, which would have awarded amnesty to almost 1.2 million illegal immigrants, in addition to the almost one million who were granted amnesty in 1997. The primary sponsor of this bill was Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.).

1997-1998: Voted against a motion to strip an amensty from a bill.
Rep. DeGette voted against the Rohrabacher Motion to H.R. 2267 to kill the Section 245(i) amnesty that allowed certain illegal aliens to pay a fee and avoid a 1996 laws provision that punishes illegal aliens by barring them for 10 years from entering the U.S. on a legal visa as a student, tourist, worker or immigrant. The Rohrabacher Motion, sponsored by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), failed by a vote of 153-268.

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

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

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

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette voted against the motion to recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act. The motion would remove a provision in the legislation that would allow illegal aliens to retroactively receive the $1,200 stimulus checks that were issued to citizens and legal permanent residents in the CARES Act during the Covid-19 national emergency.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 668, the American Dream Employment Act of 2019 to reward illegal immigration Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 668, the American Dream Employment Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.). This legislation would allow DACA amnesty recipients to receive House and Senate jobs.

2014: Voted against the Gohmert amendment to prevent housing subsides for illegal aliens Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette supported the right of illegal aliens to receive health care intended for U.S. citizens and authorized legal aliens.

2009-2010: Cosponsored AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by giving illegal agricultural workers blue card status (Berman).
Rep. DeGette 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.

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition (Berman).
Rep. DeGette 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.

2008: Voted for an amendment to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds.
Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Cosponsored the American Dream Act, which would have rewarded illegal immigrants with in-state tuition and legal status (Berman).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 1275, the American Dream Act. This bill would make illegal aliens eligible for in-state tuition and would allow DHS to grant illegal college students legal status. This bill would encourage illegal immigration and reward illegal immigrants, as well as harming legal students. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

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

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to repeal REAL ID and make America less secure (Allen).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 1117, which would have repealed the REAL ID Acts provisions implementing secure drivers license/ID card standards; would have prohibited a Federal agency from accepting a drivers license or identification card newly issued by a state more than two years after minimum standards are publicized, unless the license or card conforms to those standards; would have required states to be in full compliance with those minimum standards within five years of the standards being issued; and would have required DHS to award grants to states to assist them in conforming with minimum standards for drivers licenses and identification cards as established pursuant to this bill. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Maine) was the measures main sponsor.

2005-2006: Voted for an amendment to aid states in conforming with minimum federally-mandated license standards.
Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Voted against H.R. 418 to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. DeGette voted against legal presence requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers licenses. As well

2004: Voted against bill to prohibit drivers licenses for illegal aliens (Hastert)
Rep. DeGette voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.

2004: Voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contains provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.

2004: Voted against prohibiting drivers licenses for illegal aliens by voting in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.

2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions prohibiting issuance of drivers licenses for illegal aliens
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.

2004: Voted for amendment (Oxley) allowing use of foreign ID cards in U.S.
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Oxley Amendment to strip the Culberson Amendment from H.R. 5025. The Culberson Amendment would have prohibited the use of matricula consular ID cards. The Oxley Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), passed by a vote of 222-177.

2004: Voted against amendment (Hayworth) and in favor of rewarding illegal aliens with Social Security benefits.
Rep. DeGette voted against the Hayworth Amendment to H.R. 5006 that would have effectively prevented the U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement from taking effect, and, as a result, prevented Social Security payments to illegal aliens from Mexico. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. J. D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), failed by a vote of 178-225.

2003-2004: Voted against an amendment to fight the use of foreign IDs.
Rep. DeGette voted against the Hostettler Amendment to put some major restrictions on consular-issued ID cards that are frequently issued to illegal aliens by foreign governments. These cards make it easier for illegal aliens to gain government services and to otherwise profit from their illegal activity. The Hostettler, sponsored by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), Amendment passed by a vote of 226-198.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to grant amnesty to college-age illegal aliens (Cannon).
H.R. 1684 would have rewarded illegal immigration by adjusting the status of certain college-age illegal aliens to legal permanent resident for the purpose of receiving in-state college tuition rates. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).

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

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

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

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

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

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including border wall construction and additional agents. (The resolution passed the House 217-215, setting up a conference with the Senate).

Rep. DeGette co-sponsored the Access to Counsel Act (H.R. 944) to provide time for illegal border crossers to access legal counsel.

The Access to Counsel Act (by Pramila Jayapal, D-WA) would require a time period for aliens at ports of entry to access counsel, effectively slowing down crossing at ports of entry for everyone.
 

Rep. DeGette co-sponsored the NO BAN Act (H.R. 924) to strictly limit presidential authority to limit or halt immigration.

The NO BAN Act (by Judy Chu, D-CA) would strictly limit the president’s broad authority found under 8 USC 1182(f) to stop immigration “whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to encourage border surges
Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would likely create a massive surge of illegal border crossings because of the amnesty, new enforcement guidelines that block removals of illegal aliens, and the green card expansions.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 666 to provide time for illegal border crossers time to access council
Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 666, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The legislation would require a time period for aliens at port of entry to access counsel, effective slowing down crossing at ports of entry for everyone.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 3993 to prohibit detention of some illegal-alien women Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 3993, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, sponsored by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas). The legislation would prevent the detention of pregnant and postpartum women who cross the border illegally.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to hamper border security Rep. DeGette voted in favor of H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The legislation would require adequate time to access counsel for all aliens referred for secondary inspection at ports of entry. In doing so, it would slow down processing at ports of entry and redirect resources that could otherwise be used for border security.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2415 to encourage border surges Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2415, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, introduced by Rep. Primila Jayapal (D-Wash.), that would limit the time that illegal aliens can be detained and weakens the authority of ICE detainers. The bill would require ICE detainer warrants to by issued by immigration judges, prohibit the detention of certain individuals, including illegal aliens under the age of 18, expand the use of alternatives to detention, and prohibit the use of private prisons.

2020: Cosponsored H.R. 3563, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, to encourage border surges Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 3563, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, introduced by Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas). The legislation would prevent border patrol from detaining pregnant women who cross the border illegally.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, to expand catch and release Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 541, the Keep Families Together Act, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). This legislation would severely limit the ability of Customs and Border Protection to separate children from parents or legal guardians except for the case of: 1) terminated legal rights, 2) child trauma agencies determine its best, or 3) trafficking/not parent/danger of abuse. $10,000 fine for violation. The legislation would also ban the prosecution of asylum seekers who cross the border illegally for improper entry until after their claim has been adjudicated. 180 BAD in Amnesty

2018: Cosponsored H.R. 6193, the Central America Family Protection and Reunification Act, to weaken border security Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 6193, the Central America Family Protection and Reunification Act. The legislation would make it more difficult for the feds to detain and prosecute family units and unaccompanied minors who cross the border illegally.

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

2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. DeGette 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: Opposed an amendment to place cell towers on the border (Poe) Rep. DeGette opposed 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGettes 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. DeGette 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. DeGette voted against the Brown-Waite amendment to HR 2638. This amendment re-directs $89 million set to be appropriated to the Undersecretary for Managements account to the Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology Account, with a view towards constructing at least 700 miles of fencing along the southern border. The amendment was adopted 241-179.

2006: Voted for a bill to prevent border tunnels.
Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Voted against amendment (Goode) to H.R. 1815 to authorize troops on the border
Rep. DeGette 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.

None

2004: Voted against bill to increase the number of Border Patrol agents (Hastert)
Rep. DeGette voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.

2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Souder) to H.R. 10 to help security screeners reduce illegal immigration
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Souder Amendment to H.R. 10 to give all security screening personnel access to law enforcement and intelligence information maintained by DHS. The Souder Amendment sought to help security screeners identify and stop illegal aliens. The Souder Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), passed by a vote of 410-0.

2004: Voted against amendment (Ose) to H.R. 10 to increase border control with border fence
Rep. DeGette voted against the Ose Amendment to ensure completion of the last 14 miles of the San Diego border fence. This would serve as a physical barrier to additional illegal immigration. The Ose Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-Calif.), passed by a vote of 252-160.

2004: Voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions to increase border security
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.

2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions reducing illegal immigration with border security
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.

None

2003-2004: Voted against an amendment (Goode) to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control.
Rep. DeGette voted against the Goode Amendment to H.R. 1588 (Duncan) authorizing members of the military, under certain circumstances, to assist in border control efforts. The Goode Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), passed the House by a vote of 250-179.

2002: Voted against an amendment to authorize the use of the military in border control efforts.
Rep. DeGette voted against H. Amdt. 479 to H.R. 4546 to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military to assist in border control efforts. The amendment passed 232-183.

2001-2002: Voted against the Traficant Amendment to authorize the use of troops on the border.
Rep. DeGette voted against authorizing the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury to request that members of the Armed Forces assist the INS with border control efforts. The Traficant Amendment to H.R. 2586, sponsored by Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio), passed by a vote of 242-173.

1999-2000: Voted against the Traficant Amendment to authorize the use of the military on the border.
Rep. DeGette voted against authorizing the Secretary of Defense, under certain circumstances, to assign members of the military to assit the Border Patrol in their efforts. The Traficant Amendment to H.R. 1401, sponsored by Rep. James Traficant (D-Ohio), passed by a vote of 242-181.

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

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

Rep. DeGette co-sponsored the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061) to strictly limit where ICE can enforce the law.

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (by Adriano Espaillat, D-NY) would prohibit ICE from detaining illegal aliens in certain locations.
 

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

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Jodey Arrington, R-TX) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including the government's ability to detain and remove people who are not admissible to the United States. (The resolution passed the House 217-215, setting up a conference with the Senate).

2025: (Jan. 22) Rep. DeGette voted against the Laken Riley Act (S.5) to strengthen detention requirements and give states the ability to sue the federal government for not enforcing immigration laws.
The Laken Riley Act (by Katie Britt, R-AL) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft, assault, and bodily harm; also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The bill passed the Senate 64-35 and passed the House 263-156.)

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

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

2025: (Jan. 07) Rep. DeGette voted against the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29) to strengthen detention requirements and give states the ability to sue the federal government for not enforcing immigration laws.
The Laken Riley Act (by Mike Collins, R-GA) included a provision to require the detention of aliens who have been convicted or arrested for various forms of theft (burglary, larceny & shoplifting); also included provisions to give legal standing to states to sue the federal government for 1) violating "detention and removal requirements";  2) releasing aliens that go on to harm the state or its residents; and 3) violating the requirement to discontinue visas to countries who refuse to take their citizens back. (The bill passed 264-159, but was not considered by the Senate which focused on passing its own version, S. 5.)

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

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

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

2023: Sponsored H.R. 3194 to prohibit most deportations
Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 3194, the U.S. Citizenship Act, introduced by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.). The legislation would block the deportation of illegal aliens until they've had an opportunity to apply for relief or an adjustment of status.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 2697 to expand legal access for illegal aliens
Rep. DeGette sponsored H.R. 2697, the Fairness to Freedom Act, introduced by Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.). The legislation would establish a right to counsel in immigration proceedings. Further, it would create an Office of Immigration Representation and authorizes an amount to be appropriated equal to what is spent on enforcement.

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

2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette voted in favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement efforts against any illegal alien who could qualify for the amnesties regardless if the alien has applied or not.

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

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2415 to encourage border surges Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 2415, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, introduced by Rep. Primila Jayapal (D-Wash.), that would limit the time that illegal aliens can be detained and weakens the authority of ICE detainers. The bill would require ICE detainer warrants to by issued by immigration judges, prohibit the detention of certain individuals, including illegal aliens under the age of 18, expand the use of alternatives to detention, and prohibit the use of private prisons.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4155 to encourage future border surges Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4155, the Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal (FAIR) Proceedings Act, introduced by Rep. Donald McEachin (D-Va.), that would require taxpayer funded immigration attorneys for certain illegal aliens. Further, the bill would repeal the existing ban on providing public counsel for foreign nationals on immigration matters.

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. DeGette 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: Voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent weakening interior enforcement Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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: Cosponsored H.R. 1011, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 1011, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, introduced by Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.). This legislation would limit where ICE can make arrests of illegal aliens.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. DeGette voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill reduces the funding for detention beds used by ICE to detain criminal aliens and recent illegal border crossers. It also provides protection from enforcement and removal for the illegal-alien sponsors and their families of unaccompanied alien children who cross the border illegally. Further, it prevents the hiring of any new ICE agents for Enforcement and Removal Operations.

2017: Cosponsored legislation to prevent DHS from using DACA information (ORourke) Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 532, the DREAMer Information Protection Act. This legislation would prevent DHS from using DACA-submitted information in enforcement operations. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Beto ORourke (D-Texas).

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

2012: Voted against an amendment to protect the 287(g) program (Sullivan) Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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 against an amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify.
Rep. DeGette voted against 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. Rep. DeGettes vote was one to continue allowing illegal aliens in the U.S. workforce.

2008: Voted for a bill that continues employment verification.
Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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 in favor of sanctuary cities for illegal aliens Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette 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. DeGette voted against the Norwood Amendment to H.R. 4437 to reaffirm state and local law enforcements existing inherent authority to assist in the enforcement of immigration law. It would bring state and local law enforcement agencies more into the enforcement fold and provide funding through both grants and reimbursement for their assistance in federal enforcement efforts. The Norwood Amendment passed by a vote of 237 to 180.

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

2005-2006: Voted against amendment (Norwood) to H.R. 1817 to clarify State authority concerning immigration law
Rep. DeGette 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. DeGette 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

2004: Voted against bill to expand expedited removal provisions (Hastert)
Rep. DeGette voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.

2004: Voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions for expedited removal
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of a Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.

2004: Voted for amendment (Smith) to decrease interior enforcement by stripping expedited removal provisions
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Smith Amendment to H.R. 10 to strip the expanded expedited removal provision from H.R. 10. This is the provision that had the potential to dramatically increase deportations of illegal aliens by eliminating the appeals process. Somewhere around 2.5 million illegal aliens could be subject to the expedited removal provision. The Smith Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-210.

2004: Voted against expedited removal by voting in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.

2004: Voted against amendment (Green) to H.R. 10 to create grounds of deportability
Rep. DeGette voted against the Green Amendment to H.R. 10 to make all terrorist-related grounds of inadmissibility, grounds of deportability, as well. The Green Amendment sought to strengthen immigration law with regard to the deportability of alien terrorists. The Green Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wis.), passed by a vote of 283-132.

2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip expedited removal provisions
Rep. DeGette voted in favor of the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.

2004: Voted against the King Amendment to H.R. 4754 (Wolf) to enforce federal laws against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. DeGette voted against increasing funding to the Justice Department for enforcing current federal law against sanctuary policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potentially, terrorists. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), failed by a vote of 139-278.

2004: Voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 4567 (Rogers) that would enforce Federal law against sanctuary policies.
Rep. DeGette voted against prohibiting homeland security funding from going to states or cities that violate Federal law with sanctuary policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potentially, terrorists. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) was the primary sponsor of this amendment.

2004: Cosponsored SOLVE Act to repeal re-entry bars for unlawful presence (Gutierrez).
Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 4262 to retroactively repeal the 3 and 10 year bars on re-entry for unlawful presence for more than 6 months. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Voted against bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Calvert).
Rep. DeGette voted against the Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2003 to extend for five years the voluntary workplace verification pilot program. This program is an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from legal workers. H.R. 2359, sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), failed by a vote of 231-170, but eventually passed as S. 1685 and was signed by President George W. Bush.

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

Rep. DeGette cosponsored H.R. 9244, the NO BAN Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), legislation that would significantly limit executive authority from being used to prevent future border surges. The bill would restrict the use of 1182(f) that allows the president to suspend immigration for national security reasons.

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