null

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

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

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

2013: Voted against legislation to increase chain migration (Schumer) Sen. Grassley voted against S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, in the Judiciary Committee. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The bill passed in committee 14-4. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against a second motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would increase chain migration by approximately 251,000 per year. The motion to invoke cloture would have limited further debate on the bill and moved it to a final vote. A vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 46 to 53.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would increase chain migration by approximately 251,000 per year. The motion to invoke cloture was a move to initiate debate on the proposal and limit further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 64 to 35.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment (SA 1150) to S. 1348, a bill to increase chain migration by approximately 251,000 per year. The motion to invoke cloture would have ended debate on the proposal and limited further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 45 to 50.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to increase chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Menendez Amendment (SA 1194) to S. 1348 to increase near-term legal immigration by more than 100,000 each year by changing the cut-off date for reducing the backlog of family-sponsored immigration applicants from May 1, 2005, to January 1, 2007. The Menendez Amendment failed by a vote of 53 to 44.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to expand chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Clinton Amendment (SA 1183) to S. 1348 to significantly increase legal immigration by adding an unlimited number of spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents to the uncapped immediate relative category that currently is for the spouses, minor children and parents of U.S. citizens only. The spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents currently are allocated some 87,000 visas each year. The Clinton Amendment failed by a vote of 44 to 53.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to increase chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Akaka Amendment to S. 1348 to increase chain migration by exempting children of Filipino World War II veterans naturalized pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990 from numerical limits on worldwide immigration. The Akaka Amendment passed by a vote of 87 to 9.

2006: Voted against a bill that increased chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against final passage of S. 2611, a bill to increase chain migration through an annual increase in the family-preference visa cap of 254,000. In addition, S. 2611 includes a one-time-only permanent increase of 105,660 visas for exempt family of unused employment-based visa holders between 2001-2005. S. 2611 passed by a vote of 62 to 36.

2006: Voted against an increase in chain migration.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 2611, which limited debate on the bill to increase chain migration through an annual increase in the family-preference visa cap of 254,000. In addition, S. 2611 includes a one-time-only permanent increase of 105,660 visas for exempt family of unused employment-based visa holders between 2001-2005. A vote against invoking cloture is essentially a vote against the bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 73 to 25.

2006: Voted against procedural move to increase chain migration Sen. Grassley voted against cloture on SA 3424, a compromise amnesty proposal by Sens. Hagel (R-Neb.) and Martinez (R-Fla.). The purpose of voting against allowing a final vote on this proposal varied from Senator to Senator

2006: Voted in committee against proposal to increase chain migration.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Grassley voted against a proposal by Committee chair Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to increase chain migration through an annual increase in the family-preference visa cap of 254,000. In addition, the Specter proposal included a one-time-only permanent increase of 105,660 visas for exempt families of unused employment-based visa holders between 2001-2005. The Judiciary Committee passed the Specter proposal by a vote of 12 to 6.

1996: Voted for the Simpson Amendment to end chain migration
The Simpson Amendment to S.1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) would have ended chain migration which the Census Bureau projects will double the U.S. population again in the next century. The Senate voted 80-20 to kill the reform sponsored by Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.).

1996: Voted to reduce chain migration via the Feinstein Amendment
The Feinstein Amendment to S. 1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) would have significantly reduced chain migration by lowering annual admissions of spouses and minor children of citizens to 480,000 a year. The Feinstein Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), was defeated by a vote of 74 to 26.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to reduce chain migration (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 that would have shifted the primary focus of immigration policy to spouses and minor children from extended family. It would have set a ceiling of 330,000 on family-based immigration, thus reducing chain migration. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

1989-1990: Voted for bill that increased immigration limits (Kennedy)
Sen. Grassley voted for S.358 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Ted Kennedy [D-Mass.]), a bill that ultimately removed or increased limits in most immigration categories. Senator Grassley voted to dramatically increase immigration levels by voting for this bill. S.358 passed 81-17, ultimately becoming the Immigration Act of 1990.

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

1996: Voted for the Simpson Amendment to reduce the immigration lottery
The Simpson Amendment to S.1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) would have reduced the annual number of visas allocated to the lottery category from 55,000 to 27,000. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), failed by 80-20 on the Senate floor.

1996: Voted in favor of the Feinstein Amendment to eliminate the immigration lottery
The Feinstein Amendment to S 1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) would have eliminated the immigration lottery and significantly reduced chain migration. The Feinstein Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), was defeated by a vote of 74 to 26.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to eliminate the visa lottery (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S.1664 that would have eliminated the visa lottery that awards 50,000 visas a year to aliens without regard to family connections, job qualifications, or humanitarian need. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

1989-90: Voted for bill that created the immigration lottery (Kennedy)
Sen. Grassley voted for S.358 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Ted Kennedy [D-Mass.]), the bill that became the Immigration Act of 1990 and created the visa lottery. The Immigration Act of 1990 ultimately removed or increased limits in most immigration categories. S. 358 passed 81-17.

2023: Sponsored S. 979 to prevent B visa abuses
Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 979, the H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act, introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). The legislation would end the practice of companies using the B visa for business visitors to be used in lieu of H visas.

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Grassley 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. Grassley voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill allows for the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of H-2B guest worker visas issued in FY2019.

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

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

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

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

2015: Voted as part of Senate Finance Committee in favor of Trade Promotion Authority to potentially expand immigration and harm American workers Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Senate Finance Committee against S. 995, the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill. S. 995 would allow the President in trade treaties to commit America to giving guaranteed numbers of U.S. jobs to foreign workers without Congress approval. It would potentially tie the hands of Members of Congress to keep them from changing immigration numbers to best serve American workers. The Obama Administration (or subsequent Administrations) could use the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement to commit America to immigration increases that Congress has neither debated nor approved, thus further reducing the jobs available to U.S. workers and instead reserving certain jobs for foreign workers under the agreement. S. 995 passed the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 20-6.

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

2013: Voted against legislation to increase foreign worker visas (Schumer) Sen. Grassley voted against S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, in the Judiciary Committee. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The bill passed in committee 14-4. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing foreign worker importation.
Sen. Grassley voted against a second motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would increase the importation of both temporary and permanent foreign workers. S. 1639 would increase the importation of temporary foreign workers by 340,000 year and also add 106,877 permanent workers a year for 5 years. The motion to invoke cloture would have limited further debate on the bill and moved it to a final vote. A vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 46 to 53.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing foreign worker visas.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would increase importation of temporary and permanent foreign workers. The motion to invoke cloture was a move to initiate debate on the proposal and limit further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 64 to 35.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor in favor reducing foreign worker importation.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment (SA 1150) to S. 1348, a bill to increase importation of temporary and permanent foreign workers. The motion to invoke cloture would have ended debate on the proposal and limited further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 45 to 50.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to sunset guestworker provisions of a bill.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Dorgan Amendment (SA 1316) to S. 1348 to sunset the guestworker provisions of the bill in five years. This was the second vote on the Dorgan Amendment which previously failed by a vote of 48 to 49. This time it passed by a vote of 49 to 48.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to protect American workers.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Durbin Amendment to S. 1348 to ensure that employers make efforts to recruit American workers before hiring foreign workers. The Durbin Amendment passed by a vote of 71 to 22.

2007-2008: Voted in favor of amendment to increase fees on H-1B visas.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sanders Amendment to S. 1348 increase the fees employers who wish to import H-1B high-skill nonimmigrant workers from $1,500 to $10,000, with the funds going to scholarships for American high tech students. The Sanders Amendment passed by a vote of 59 to 35.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to sunset guestworker provisions of a bill.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Dorgan Amendment to S. 1348 to sunset the guestworker provisions of the bill in five years. The Dorgan Amendment failed by a vote of 48 to 49.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to reduce a proposed guestworker program in a bill.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Bingaman Amendment (SA 1169) to S. 1348. The Bingaman Amendment would reduce the annual importation of workers under the new guestworker programs proposed by S. 1348 from 400,000 to 200,000 workers per year. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote 74 of 24.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to remove a proposed guestworker program in a bill.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Dorgan Amendment to S. 1348 to delete the provisions of S. 1348 that would create a new guestworker program for up to 600,000 foreign workers annually. The Dorgan Amendment failed by a vote of 31 to 64.

2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to protect American workers from wage depression and job displacement (Durbin).
Sen. Grassley is a cosponsor of S. 1035 to reduce much of the fraud associated with the H-1B and L-1 visa programs by, among other things, requiring employers to attest that they had tried to hire U.S. workers before importing a foreign worker and requiring H-1B and L-1 visa holders be paid prevailing wages. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2006: Voted on Senate floor against S. 2611 to reward illegal aliens with amnesty Sen. Grassley voted against final passage of S. 2611 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Arlen Specter [D-Pa.]) which includes an amnesty (both immediate and deferred) for 10.2 million illegal aliens (6.7 million illegal alien workers and 3.5 million illegal alien spouses and/children). S. 2611 passed by a vote of 62 to 36 on May 25, 2006 (5:39 PM).

2006: Voted for an amendment to cap employment-based visas.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Bingaman Amendment to S. 2611, which caps the number of employment-based visas for workers, spouses and children at 650,000. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation estimates that the Bingaman Amendment would reduce employment-based visas available under S. 2611 by about 150,000 a year. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote of 51 to 47.

2006: Voted for an amendment to limit a proposed guestworker program.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Dorgan Amendment to S. 2611, which limits the proposed H-2C guestworker program to five years instead of 10 years. This would have reduced the number of new guestworkers under S. 2611 from two million to one million (200,000 per year for five years instead of 10 years). The Dorgan Amendment failed by a vote of 48 to 49.

2006: Voted against increasing foreign worker visas.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 2611, which would have limited debate on the bill to increase foreign worker importation by approximately 600,000 visas per year. A vote against invoking cloture is essentially a vote against the bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 73 to 25.

2006: Voted for an amendment that increases guestworker visas.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Hutchison Amendment to S. 2611 to create a Secure Authorized Foreign Employee (SAFE) visa for nationals of a NAFTA or CAFTA. Its effect would have been to create an unnecessary guestworker visa category. The Hutchison Amendment failed by a vote of 31 to 67.

2006: Voted to reduce greencards for foreign workers.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to table the Kyl amendment (SA 3969) to S. 2611. The Kyl amendment would have prevented 200,000 guestworkers a year from adjusting to lawful permanent resident status on the basis of their status as a guestworker. This would have resulted in 2 million less greencards over a decade. The motion to table the Kyl amendment passed by a vote of 58 to 35, effectively killing the amendment.

2006: Voted against an amendment to weaken worker protections.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Kennedy amendment (SA 4066) to S. 2611. The Kennedy amendment weakens Sen. Cornyns amendment (SA 3965) by not requiring Federal certification of the employers need to import foreign workers. The Kennedy amendment passed by a vote of 56 to 43.

2006: Voted in favor of amendment to increase worker protections.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn amendment (SA 3965) to S. 2611, which provides modest protections to American workers by requiring employers to employ aliens in the position they were hired for and requiring DHS to certify that there is, in fact, a labor shortage in that particular field before visas are made available. The Cornyn amendment passed by a vote of 50 to 48.

2006: Voted against killing an amendment that would cap guestworker visas.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to table the Bingaman Amendment (SA 3981) to S. 2611. The Bingaman Amendment would cap the number of H-2C visas available annually for issuance at 200,000 and remove the 20%-a-year increase in annual guestworker visas. This would reduce the 10-year increase in foreign workers and their dependents from 8.4 million, as provided in the original bill, to two million. The motion to table the Bingaman amendment failed by a vote of 18 to 79 and the Bingaman amendment ultimately passed by voice vote.

2006: Voted to kill an amendment that would strike guestworker provisions.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of a motion to table the Dorgan Amendment (SA 4017) to S. 2611. The Dorgan amendment would have stricken the guestworker provisions of the bill that would add an estimated 8.4 million foreign workers and their dependents over the next ten years (according to a May, 2006 study by the Heritage Foundations Robert Rector). The motion to table passed by a voted of 68 to 29, effectively killing the Dorgan amendment.

2006: Voted against procedural move to increase foreign worker importation Sen. Grassley voted against cloture on SA 3424, a compromise amnesty proposal by Sens. Hagel (R-Neb.) and Martinez (R-Fla.). The purpose of voting against allowing a final vote on this proposal varied from Senator to Senator

2006: Voted in committee against a proposal to increase foreign worker visas.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Grassley voted against a proposal by Committee chair Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to increase foreign workers visas. The Specter proposal includes an annual increase in employment-based visas of 754,660. As well, it includes a one-time-only permanent increase of 90,000 unused employment-based visas (2001-2005). The Specter proposal also includes an annual increase in H-1B workers visas of at least 500,000. The Judiciary Committee passed the Specter proposal by a vote of 12 to 6.

2005-2006: Voted against Byrd Amendment that would prevent additional foreign-worker importation
Sen. Grassley voted against the Byrd Amendment to the Budget Reconciliation bill. The Byrd Amendment would have stripped a provision to increase permanent, employement-based immigration by as many as 366,000 annually. The Byrd Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), failed by a vote of 14 to 85 on November 3, 2005 (2:16 PM).

2005-2006: Voted in committee in favor of amendment (Sessions) to increase worker visa fees
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to the Specter Budget Reconciliation Plan that was attached to the Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005, S. 1932. The Sessions Amendment was a substitute amendment to increase L-1 fees by 1,500. The Sessions Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), failed by a vote of 7 to 11.

2005-2006: Voted in committee in favor of amendment (Feinstein) to cut in half proposal to import additional foreign workers in 2005
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of the Feinstein Amendment to the Specter Budget Reconciliation Plan that was attached to Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005. The Feinstein Amendment cut the additional H-1B visas proposed in the Specter proposal in half (from 60,000 to 30,000) and added a 750 fee on L-1 visas. The Feinstein Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), passed by a vote of 10-5.

2005-2006: Voted in committee in favor of amendment (Hatch) to increase overall immigration fees by 5 percent
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of the Hatch Amendment to the Specter Budget Reconciliation Plan that was attached to Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005. The Hatch Amendment was a substitute amendment of House bill to increase overall immigration fees by 5 percent. It would have effectively stripped the overall immigration increase from the budget reconciliation bill. The Hatch Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), failed by a vote of 5-11.

2003: Voted in favor of worker importation program in Singapore free trade agreement Sen. Grassley voted in favor of H.R. 2739, the Singapore free trade agreement, that permits an unlimited number of workers from Singapore to enter the U.S. each year as treaty traders or investors* who are coming to the U.S. to carry on trade between the U.S. and Singapore or to *establish, develop, administer or provide advice or key technical services* to the operations of a business in which they have invested capital. The Singapore Free Trade Agreement, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed the Senate by a vote of 66-32.

2003-2004: Voted in favor of bill to increase foreign-worker importation (DeLay)
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Chile Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2738 that permits an unlimited number of workers in Chile to enter the U.S. on L-1 visas. H.R. 2738, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed the Senate by a vote of 66-31.

2003-2004: Voted for bill providing unlimited worker visas (Grassley).
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Chile and Singapore free trade agreements that provide for unlimited tech and professional work visa with indefinite extensions and no protections for American workers. The trade agreements, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 11-4.

2000: Voted for a foreign worker bill with no American worker protections.
Sen. Grassley voted for S. 2045, which nearly tripled the number of foreign high-tech workers. Despite a GAO report finding no evidence of a worker shortage and suggesting fraud in the H-1B program, Sen. Grassley voted for this bill that included no worker protections or anti-fraud measures. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), passed 96-1.

2000: Voted for a bill to grant visas to foreign workers.
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of S.2045 (the Abraham bill). This legislation would nearly triple the number of H-1B visas annually and grant virtual permanent residency to H-1B visas holders and their families. S.2045, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), passed the Senate Judiciary Committee 16-2.

1998: Voted against an amendment, consequently allowing American workers to be fired and repalced with foreign workers.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Kennedy Amendment (A-2418) to S.1723 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Arlen Specter [D-Pa.]) that would have protected American workers from being fired and replaced by a foreign worker (H-1B visa holder). The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), was defeated 38-60.

1998: Voted for a bill to nearly doubling hi-tech worker visas.
Sen. Grassley helped the Senate pass S.1723 in a 78-20 vote. Enacted into law, it increased by nearly 150,000 the number of foreign workers high-tech American companies could hire over the next three years even though U.S. firms were laying off thousands of workers at the time. The primary sponsor was Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.).

1998: Voted against an amendment to offer jobs to Americans first.
Sen. Grassley voted against the Kennedy amendment(A-2417) to S.1723 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Arlen Specter [D-Pa.]) that would have required U.S. firms applying for H-1B visas to check a box on a form attesting that they had first sought an American worker for the job. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), failed 39-59.

1998: Voted against an amendment to reduce the importation of foreign workers.
Sen. Grassley stood solidy against American workers by opposing a Feinstein amendment to S.1723 to reduce the H1B increase from 5 years to 3. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), failed by two votes.

1998: Voted against the Kennedy-Feinstein Amendment, which would have protected American workers.
The Kennedy-Feinstein Amendment to S.1723 would have accomplished two important goals: ensuring no American was laid off or displaced prior to hiring an H1B employee; and, requiring that employers demonstrate they had previously taken timely and effective steps to hire a qualified American. 10 Senators helped defeat this amendment sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

1998: Voted for bill to increase foreign worker importation without protecting American workers.
Sen. Grassley was part of the majority in the Senate Judiciary Committee that voted to send S.1723 to the floor of the Senate without safeguards for American workers. The primary sponsor was Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.).

1995-1996: Voted in committee to eliminate visas for unskilled workers (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 that would have eliminated visas for unskilled workers. It would have increased the number of skilled worker visas available by almost 10,000 however, since neither actual nor projected admissions reach even the current ceiling, the higher ceiling would have had no impact on admissions. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

1989-1990: Voted in favor of bill that increased immigration limits (Kennedy)
Sen. Grassley voted for S.358 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Ted Kennedy [D-Mass.]), a bill that ultimately removed or increased limits in most immigration categories. Senator Grassley voted to import more foreign workers by voting for this bill. S.358 passed 81-17, ultimately becoming the Immigration Act of 1990.

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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

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

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

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

2013: Voted against legislation to increase refugee fraud (Schumer) Sen. Grassley voted against S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, in the Judiciary Committee. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The bill passed in committee 14-4. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to reduce refugee admissions (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 that would limit refugee admissions to 75,000 in fiscal year 1997 and 50,000 thereafter. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

1990: Voted for bill that increased annual number of asylum seekers granted residence (Kennedy)
Sen. Grassley voted for S. 358 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Ted Kennedy [D-Mass.]), which doubled the number of asylum seekers who could be granted permanent residence each year, thus increasing the incentive to file fraudulent asylum applications. Ultimately, the 1990 bill passed 81-17.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2014: Voted in favor of motion to help end DACA (Sessions) Sen. Grassley voted in favor of an amendment to 2648, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2014. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had already offered the maximum number of amendments (in a practice called filling the tree) to the legislation with the express purpose of preventing Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex) from offering his legislation to defund DACA. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) offered an amendment, # 3751, to remove all of Sen. Reids amendments so that Sen. Cruzs could be considered. This motion failed 43-52.

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

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

2013: Voted against legislation to amnesty illegal aliens (Schumer) Sen. Grassley voted against S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, in the Judiciary Committee. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The bill passed in committee 14-4. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2010: Voted against the DREAM Act 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.

2010: Voted against the DREAM Act 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.

2007-2008: Voted against DREAM Act amnesty for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 2205, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007. S. 2205 would reward up to 2.1 million illegal aliens with amnesty. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 52 to 44.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against rewarding illegal aliens with amnesty.
Sen. Grassley voted against a second motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would reward up to six million illegal aliens with amnesty. The motion to invoke cloture would have limited further debate on the bill and moved it to a final vote. A vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 46 to 53.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against amnesty for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639, which would reward illegal aliens with amnesty. The motion to invoke cloture was a move to initiate debate on the proposal and limit further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 64 to 35.

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor in favor of reducing amnesties for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on the substitute amendment (SA 1150) to S. 1348, a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty. The motion to invoke cloture would have ended debate on the proposal and limited further discussion of amendments to a previously-agreed upon set of proposals -- thus a vote against cloture was effectively a vote in favor of killing the amnesty-guestworker bill. The motion to invoke cloture failed by a vote of 45 to 50.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to bar certain criminals from amnesty.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn Amendment (SA 1184) to S. 1385 to bar criminal aliens from receiving amnesty. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has estimated that 15% of illegal aliens are criminals. The Cornyn Amendment failed by a vote of 46 to 51.

2007-2008: Voted in favor of amendment to strip amnesty provisions from a bill.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Vitter Amendment to strip the amnesty provisions from S. 1348. The Vitter Amendment failed by a vote of 29 to 66.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to create a disincentive to apply for amnesty.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn Amendment (SA 1250) to S. 1348 to discourage applicants from applying for amnesty by eliminating the provisions protecting the confidentiality of the information contained in amnesty applications and, instead, requires the sharing of application-related information upon the request of a law enforcement agency, intelligence, or national security agency, or DHS component when requested in connection with a duly-authorized investigation of a civil violation. The Cornyn Amendment passed by a vote of 57 to 39.

None

2006: Voted against amnesty for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 2611, which includes an amnesty (both immediate and deferred) for 10.2 million illegal aliens (6.7 million illegal alien workers and 3.5 million illegal alien spouses and/children). A vote against invoking cloture is essentially a vote against the bill. The motion to invoke cloture passed by a vote of 73 to 25.

2006: Voted against amendment to reward 2 million illegal aliens with amnesty Sen. Grassley voted against the Feinstein Amendment to S. 2611 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Arlen Specter [D-Pa.]) to create an orange card that would allow an estimated two million illegal aliens to pay a fine. The amendment failed by a vote of 37 to 61.

2006: Voted for an amendment to end amnesty provisions.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Vitter amendment (SA 3963) to S. 2611, which removes provisions authorizing the earned legalization and agricultural worker amnesty schemes that would grant amnesty to an estimated 16 million illegal aliens and their families (according to a May, 2006 study by the Heritage Foundations Robert Rector). The Vitter amendment failed by a vote of 33 to 66.

2006: Voted for an amendment that postpones amnesty.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn amendment to S. 2611 to prohibit DHS from implementing the amnesty provisions of S. 2611 unless the agency has certified that this bills border security measures are fully operational. The Cornyn Amendment failed by a vote of 40-55.

2006: Voted against procedural move to amnesty illegal aliens Sen. Grassley voted against cloture on SA 3424, a compromise amnesty proposal by Sens. Hagel (R-Neb.) and Martinez (R-Fla.). The purpose of voting against allowing a final vote on this proposal varied from Senator to Senator

2006: Voted in committee against a proposal to reward illegal aliens with amnesty.
As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Grassley voted against a proposal by Committee chair Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) to reward illegal aliens with amnesty. The Specter proposal includes an amnesty (both immediate and deferred) for 10.2 million illegal aliens (6.7 million illegal alien workers and 3.5 million illegal alien spouses and/children). The Judiciary Committee passed the Specter proposal by a vote of 12 to 6.

2005-2006: Voted against amnesty for agricultural workers
Sen. Grassley voted not to invoke cloture, a procedural move requiring 60 votes to limit debate and ensure a vote on the AgJOBS amnesty amendment, introduced by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), to the Iraq supplemental spending bill. This effectively kept the amnesty for up to 3 million illegal aliens off the final bill. The Senate voted 53 to 45 not to invoke cloture on April 19, 2005.

2003-2004: Voted for DREAM Act, to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Hatch).
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee for S. 1545 to reward certain college-age illegal aliens with amnesty. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Cosponsored DREAM Act to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Hatch).
S. 1545 would have rewarded illegal aliens under the age of 21 who have been physically present in the country for five years and are in 7th grade or above with amnesty. An estimated 500,000 to 600,000 illegal aliens would have qualified for this amnesty. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) was the primary sponsor.

2001: Cosponsored legislation to amnesty illegal alien youths (Hatch) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 1291, DREAM Act of 2001. This bill would have granted in-state tuition and amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 21 who had been physically present in the country for five years and are in 7th grade or above. The bills main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

2001-2002: Cosponsored bill allowing illegal aliens to pay a fine and change to a legal status (Hagel).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 778 to extend the Section 245(i) amnesty for one year. This is an amnesty that allows certain illegal aliens to pay a fine and adjust their status to legal status. The primary sponsor was Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.).

2000: Voted against including illegal immigration amnesty in the Senate H-1b bill (Hatch).
Sen. Grassley voted against including an amnesty for illegal aliens from Central America in the Senate H-1B bill (S.2045). This not necessarily a vote against the amnesty, but rather a vote against including it in the H-1B legislation. The move to attach the amnesty failed 43-55.

1990: Voted for a bill that provided family-based amnesty (Kennedy)
Sen. Grassley supported S.358 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Ted Kennedy [D-Mass]), which provided an amnesty for up to 165,000 spouses and minor children of illegal aliens who were granted amnesty in 1986. Ultimately, the 1990 bill passed 81-17.

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

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

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

2015: Voted in favor of an amendment to prevent illegal aliens receiving tax credits (Sessions) Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions amendment to S. Con. Res. 11 in the Senate Budget Committee. This legislation allows Congress to prevent illegal aliens from applying for and receiving the child tax credit.

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

2013: Voted against legislation to amnesty illegal aliens (Schumer) Sen. Grassley voted against S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill, in the Judiciary Committee. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The bill passed in committee 14-4. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2010: Voted for an amendment in support of Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that illegal aliens should not be rewarded for breaking immigration laws.

2010: Voted for an amendment in support of Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that illegal aliens should not be rewarded for breaking immigration laws.

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment that prevented illegal aliens from acquiring credit cards.
Sen. Grassley supported the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 627, The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2009, and it would have required the banks that issue credit cards to ensure that those granted credit cards are in the United States legally by obliging the banks to verify the identity of applicants using REAL ID-compliant documents. The amendment failed 28-65.

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment that prevented illegal aliens from acquiring credit cards.
Sen. Grassley supported the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 627, The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2009, and it would have required the banks that issue credit cards to ensure that those granted credit cards are in the United States legally by obliging the banks to verify the identity of applicants using REAL ID-compliant documents. The amendment failed 28-65.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to eliminate rewards for illegal immigration.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Coburn Amendment (SA 1311) to S. 1348 to prohibit in-state tuition for illegal aliens and sanctuary cities for illegal aliens. The Coburn Amendment failed by a vote of 42 to 54.

2006: Voted against killing an amendment to prevent Social Security for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to table the Ensign amendment (SA 3985) to S. 2611. The Ensign amendment would have prohibited the payment of Social Security benefits for many illegal aliens. The motion to table the Ensign amendment passed by a vote of 50 to 49, effectively killing the amendment.

2005-2006: Voted to not to shield illegal aliens from prosecution for Social Security fraud
Sen. Grassley voted not to invoke cloture, a procedural move requiring 60 votes to limit debate and ensure a vote on the AgJOBS amnesty amendment, introduced by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), to the Iraq supplemental spending bill. This effectively kept the amnesty, which would reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud off the final bill. The Senate voted 53 to 45 not to invoke cloture on April 19, 2005.

2003-2004: Voted for DREAM Act, to reward illegal aliens with in-state tution and amnesty (Hatch).
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee for S. 1545 to encourage illegal immigration by granting in-state tuition rates to certain college-age illegal aliens. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Cosponsored DREAM Act to reward illegal aliens with in-state tuition (Hatch).
S. 1545 would have rewarded illegal aliens under the age of 21 who have been physically present in the country for five years and are in 7th grade or above with in-state tuition rates at colleges and universities. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), did not come to a vote.

2001: Cosponsored legislation to amnesty illegal alien youths (Hatch) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 1291, DREAM Act of 2001. This bill would have granted in-state tuition and amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 21 who had been physically present in the country for five years and are in 7th grade or above. The bills main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

1996: Voted in favor of bill that denied illegal aliens in-state tuition (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) that denied illegal aliens in-state tuition, in addition to almost all forms of federal welfare.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to deny illegal aliens in-state tuition (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 to deny illegal aliens in-state tuition, in addition to almost all forms of federal welfare. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

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

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

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

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

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

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Lindsey Graham, R-SC) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including border wall construction and additional agents. (The resolution passed the committee 11-10, setting up a Senate floor vote).
 

2023: Sponsored S. 1494 to help fund border barriers
Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 1494, the BUILD IT Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the federal government to turn over unused border wall materials to the states that request using it to build or repair border barriers.

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

2022: Sponsored S. 4294 to use unused materials for border barrier construction Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 4294, the BUILT IT Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the federal government to turn over unused border barrier materials to the states that request it to build their own border barriers.

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

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

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

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010: Voted for an amendment that promoted border security and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that the federal government is not doing enough to secure the border and states should be allowed to assist in the effort.

2010: Voted for an amendment that promoted border security and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that the federal government is not doing enough to secure the border and states should be allowed to assist in the effort.

2010: Voted for an amendment to increase the number of men and women patrolling the border.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the McCain amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have funded the deployment of 6,000 National Guardsmen and women to the U.S. - Mexico border, thereby making it more difficult for human, drug, and arms traffickers to cross the border. The amendment failed 51-46 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2010: Voted for an amendment that would have helped stop the flow of drugs across the border.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have increased funding for drug enforcement along the Southwest border. The amendment failed 54-43 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2010: Voted for an amendment that would have helped the Justice Department handle immigration-related cases on the border more efficiently.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Kyl amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have increased resources within the Department of Justice to expedite immigration-related cases along the border. The amendment failed 54-44 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2010: Voted for an amendment to increase the number of men and women patrolling the border.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the McCain amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have funded the deployment of 6,000 National Guardsmen and women to the U.S. - Mexico border, thereby making it more difficult for human, drug, and arms traffickers to cross the border. The amendment failed 51-46 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2010: Voted for an amendment that would have helped the Justice Department handle immigration-related cases on the border more efficiently.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Kyl amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have increased resources within the Department of Justice to expedite immigration-related cases along the border. The amendment failed 54-44 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2010: Voted for an amendment that would have helped stop the flow of drugs across the border.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Cornyn amendment to H.R. 4899, the 2010 Emergency Supplemental bill. This amendment would have increased funding for drug enforcement along the Southwest border. The amendment failed 54-43 (a 3/5 vote was required for passage).

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to complete 700 miles of border fencing.
Sen. Grassley voted for the DeMint amendment to H.R. 2892, the DHS Appropriations bill., which mandates that the 700 miles of border fencing (which was previously approved and appropriated for) be completed. The DeMint amendment passed 54-44.

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to complete 700 miles of border fencing.
Sen. Grassley voted for the DeMint amendment to H.R. 2892, the DHS Appropriations bill., which mandates that the 700 miles of border fencing (which was previously approved and appropriated for) be completed. The DeMint amendment passed 54-44.

2008: Voted for an amendment to increase border security funding and enforcement.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to S CON RES 70. This amendment would increase funding for border security, guarantee 700 miles of fencing, place 6,000 National Guardsmen on the border, and reimburse state and local law enforcement. The amendment passed 61 to 37.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to increase border control.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Coburn Amendment (SA 1311) to S. 1348 to increase border control by requiring construction of the border fence, implementation of US VISIT (entry-exit system), and biometric identification documents. The Coburn Amendment failed by a vote of 42 to 54.

2006: Voted for a bill to create a border fence.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of 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 80-19.

2006: Voted for an amendment to fund a border fence.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions amendment to H.R. 5631, the Department of Defense Appropriations bill. The Sessions amendment would provide for $1.8 billion for the construction of 370 miles of border fencing and 461 miles of vehicle barriers along the southern border. The Sessions amendment passed by a vote of 94-3.

2006: Voted for an amendment to extend the border fence.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Sessions Amendment would have added 370 miles of fence on the southwest border. The amendment failed by a vote of 29 to 71.

2006: Voted for an amendment that authorizes the National Guard to assist in border patrol efforts.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Ensign Amendment to S. 2611, which authorizes the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas to order their states National Guard units to assist the Border Patrol in their efforts. The Ensign Amendment passed by a vote of 83-10.

2006: Voted in favor of an amendment to create a border fence.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions amendment (SA 3979) to S. 2611, which calls for the construction of at least 370 miles of a border fence along the southwest border. The Sessions amendment passed by a vote of 83 to 16.

2005-2006: Voted in favor of amendment (Ensign) to DHS appropriations bill to fund U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Ensign Amendment (SA 1219) to H.R. 2360 (Rogers), the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Ensign Amendment transfers appropriated funds from the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the purpose of hiring 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), failed by a vote of 38 to 60 on July 14, 2005 (10:04 AM).

2005-2006: Voted in favor of Byrd Amendment to fund additional Border Patrol agents
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Byrd Amendment to H.R. 1268 (an emergency supplemental spending bill) to provide funding to hire 650 more border patrol agents. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), passed 65-34 on April 20, 2005 (3:18 PM).

2002: Voted for a bill to increase border control with an alien tracking and identification system.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 that would increase border control efforts by creating an entry-exit system for checking each alien as they enter and leave the U.S. H.R. 3525, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), passed the Senate unanimously by a vote of 97-0.

2001-2002: Cosponsored bill to increase border control with an alien tracking and identification system (Kennedy).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 to create an entry-exit system that would check every visa holder as they enter and exit the U.S. S. 1749, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), did not come to a vote.

2001-2002: Cosponsored bill to increase border control with an alien tracking and identification system (Kennedy).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 to create an entry-exit system that would check every visa holder as they enter and exit the U.S. S. 1749, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), did not come to a vote.

1996: Voted in favor of bill to reduce illegal immigration with border control, such as increased Border Patrol forces (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1664 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]), a large omnibus bill with dozens of provisions aimed at reducing illegal immigration. It included major increases in Border Patrol forces. As well, it barred from any kind of legal entry for 10 years any illegal alien who had been apprehended and deported. S. 1644 passed by a vote of 97-3.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to reduce illegal immigration through increased Border Patrol (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 that contained provisions aimed at reducing illegal immigration such as increased Border Patrol forces. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

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

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

Sen. Grassley co-sponsored the Accountability Through Verification Act (S. 1151) to mandate use of the E-Verify system

The Accountability Through Verification Act (by Chuck Grassley, R-IA) would require all employers to use E-Verify to check the work authorization for all new hires - and all existing employees who have not yet been checked - within one year, and increase penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal workers.  The legislation also includes provisions to detect identity theft and unauthorized aliens using false or stolen Social Security numbers.
 

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

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

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

The FY 2025 Budget Resolution (by Lindsey Graham, R-SC) is the first step towards passing the House proposal to provide $200 billion for immigration enforcement, including the government's ability to detain and remove people who are not admissible to the United States. (The resolution passed the committee 11-10, setting up a Senate floor vote).

Sen. Grassley co-sponsored the Stop Illegal Reentry Act (S. 271) to increase penalties for illegal reentry.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act (by Ted Cruz, R-TX) would increase penalties for illegal aliens who illegally reenter the United States after being removed.
 

Sen. Grassley co-sponsored Sarah's Law (S. 84) to require the detention of aliens charged with a crime resulting in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.

Sarah's Law (by Joni Ernst, R-IA) requires the detention of aliens who have been charged with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.  The legislation also calls for DHS to notify the victim/victim's family of relevant immigration and criminal history of the accused.
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024: Cosponsored S. 5183 to add certain sex crimes to list of deportable offenses 

Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 5183, the Be GONE Act, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would add sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence to the aggravated felony list.

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

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

2023: Sponsored S. 160 to require detention of illegal aliens charged with serious crimes
Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 160, Sarah's Law, introduced by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the detention of aliens who are charged with a crime that resulted in the death of serious bodily injury of another person.

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

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

2022: Sponsored S. 4021 to block admissions of war criminals and human rights violators Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 4021, the Human Rights Violators Act of 2022, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The legislation would establish a Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center at DHS. Further, it would add war criminals to the inadmissibility and deportability list, and prohibits adjustment of status, along with those who participated in female genital mutilation inadmissible and deportable.

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

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

2022: Sponsored S. 3051 to end parole abuse Sen. Grassley sponsored S. 3051, the Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2022, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The legislation would further limit the executive branchs use of parole in allowing illegal border crossers to stay and work in the United States. Further, it would limit parole to one year.

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

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

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

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 2059, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, to discourage sanctuary policies Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 2059, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, introduced by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). The bill would establish a civil action for victims of felony crimes committed by aliens who benefited from sanctuary policies. The bill would also provide immunity for local law enforcement for complying with ICE detainer requests.

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

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

2019: Voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, in the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1494, the Secure and Protect Act, introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). The legislation would: 1) reform the Flores Settlement Agreement to allow alien minors to be detained for longer than 20 days, 2) allow unaccompanied alien children from non-contiguous countries to be returned immediately, 3) allow UACs to be released to sponsors under certain conditions, 4) provide sponsor information to DHS, 5) strengthen the credible fear standard, 6) restrict asylum to only those who pass through a port of entry, and 7) add immigration judges, among other things. The vote was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2015: Cosponsoring legislation to allow sanctuary cities to continue to ignore the law Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 1812, the Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015 would simply encourage jurisdictions to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agents rather than penalizing sanctuary cities. The bill would also include mandatory minimum sentencing for illegal aliens who re-enter the United States after being removed (Kates Law), but overall, the bill would do nothing to discourage sanctuary cities.

2015: Cosponsoring legislation to strengthen immigration laws Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 1120, legislation that would designate an illegal alien who is or was a member of a criminal gang, or who participated in gang activity knowing that such participation will promote the gangs illegal activity, is inadmissible and deportable. The bill would also require mandatory detention of such illegal aliens.

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

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

2013: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 202, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act. This legislation would make E-Verify permanent; mandate E-Verify for all federal government agencies, federal contractors, and critical employers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); require employers, contractors, and subcontractors to verify all new employees within one year; increase civil penalties to between $2,500 and $5,000 for each unauthorized alien, $5,000 to $10,000 per alien for second offenses, and $10,000 to $25,000 per alien for subsequent offenses; debar repeat violators from federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements; prohibit states from weakening the E-Verify law; protect employers from liability for actions taken in good faith; allow employers to voluntarily run prospective employees through E-Verify prior to employment with the consent of the prospective employee; require all employers to verify all current employees after 3 years; require reverification for employees with limited work permits; require employers to turn information over to DHS for any employee terminated due to receiving a final non-confirmation; stipulate information sharing between SSA (Social Security Administration), DHS, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service); and impose a 20 year prison term for identity theft. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is the bills main sponsor.

2011: Cosponsored mandatory E-Verify legislation (Grassley) Sen. Grassley cosponsored S. 1196, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act. This legislation would make E-Verify permanent; mandate E-Verify for all federal government agencies, federal contractors, and critical employers as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); require employers, contractors, and subcontractors to verify all new employees within one year; increase civil penalties to between $2,500 and $5,000 for each unauthorized alien, $5,000 to $10,000 per alien for second offenses, and $10,000 to $25,000 per alien for subsequent offenses; debar repeat violators from federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements; prohibit states from weakening the E-Verify law; protect employers from liability for actions taken in good faith; allow employers to voluntarily run prospective employees through E-Verify prior to employment with the consent of the prospective employee; require all employers to verify all current employees after 3 years; require reverification for employees with limited work permits; require employers to turn information over to DHS for any employee terminated due to receiving a final non-confirmation; stipulate information sharing between SSA (Social Security Administration), DHS, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service); and impose a 20 year prison term for identity theft. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is the bills main sponsor.

2010: Voted for an amendment that promoted interior enforcement and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that the federal government is not doing enough to prevent illegal aliens from living openly in the United States (including taking American jobs) and states should be allowed to assist in arresting and processing illegal aliens.

2010: Voted for an amendment that promoted interior enforcement and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the DeMint amendment to H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010. The amendment, SA 4464, would have prevented the Department of Justice from participating in any lawsuit against Arizonas immigration enforcement law, SB 1070. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 43-55 on the Senate floor. By supporting this amendment, Sen. Grassley made it clear that the federal government is not doing enough to prevent illegal aliens from living openly in the United States (including taking American jobs) and states should be allowed to assist in arresting and processing illegal aliens.

2009-2010: Voted against tabling an amendment that would have denied federal funding to states and localities with sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling an amendment (SA 2630) sponsored by Sen. David Vitter to the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) spending bill (H.R. 2847). The Vitter Amendment, if adopted, would have prevented federal funds from going to states and municipalities with sanctuary policies in place that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potential terrorists. The vote to table the Vitter Amendment passed 61 to 38 (7 October 2009, 5:56 PM), effectively killing the amendment.

2009-2010: Voted against tabling an amendment that would have denied federal funding to states and localities with sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling an amendment (SA 2630) sponsored by Sen. David Vitter to the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) spending bill (H.R. 2847). The Vitter Amendment, if adopted, would have prevented federal funds from going to states and municipalities with sanctuary policies in place that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potential terrorists. The vote to table the Vitter Amendment passed 61 to 38 (7 October 2009, 5:56 PM), effectively killing the amendment.

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to permanently reauthorize the E-Verify system.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to table the Sessions amendment to H.R. 2892 (the DHS Appropriations bill) which reestablishes E-Verify permanently, mandates that any business getting a federal contract must run all new hires through E-Verify, and mandates that every existing employee who works on the government contracts must be run through E-Verify. The pre-existing employee provision only applied to the employees actually working on the government contract. The motion to table the Sessions amendment failed 44-53 and the amendment passed with a voice vote. H.R. 2892 was signed into law on October 28, 2009.

2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to permanently reauthorize the E-Verify system.
Sen. Grassley voted against a motion to table the Sessions amendment to H.R. 2892 (the DHS Appropriations bill) which reestablishes E-Verify permanently, mandates that any business getting a federal contract must run all new hires through E-Verify, and mandates that every existing employee who works on the government contracts must be run through E-Verify. The pre-existing employee provision only applied to the employees actually working on the government contract. The motion to table the Sessions amendment failed 44-53 and the amendment passed with a voice vote. H.R. 2892 was signed into law on October 28, 2009.

2009-2010: Voted for employment verification by supporting a 5 year extension of E-Verify.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling Sen. Jeff Sessions amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 1105). This amendment would have reauthorized the E-Verify electronic employment eligibility verification program for a period of five years. E-Verify, with a 99.4% accuracy rate, is the most effective tool in keeping illegal aliens out of U.S. jobs. The 5-year extension was an effort to stop the program from being used as a trade-off for various amnesty plans. The Senate leadership decided to table Sessions amendment rather than allow a floor vote. By voting against the tabling of Sen. Sessions amendment, Sen. Grassley supported the long-term reauthorization of E-Verify. The final vote was 50-47.

2009-2010: Voted for employment verification by supporting a 5 year extension of E-Verify.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling Sen. Jeff Sessions amendment to the 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill (H.R. 1105). This amendment would have reauthorized the E-Verify electronic employment eligibility verification program for a period of five years. E-Verify, with a 99.4% accuracy rate, is the most effective tool in keeping illegal aliens out of U.S. jobs. The 5-year extension was an effort to stop the program from being used as a trade-off for various amnesty plans. The Senate leadership decided to table Sessions amendment rather than allow a floor vote. By voting against the tabling of Sen. Sessions amendment, Sen. Grassley supported the long-term reauthorization of E-Verify. The final vote was 50-47.

2008: Voted for an amendment to increase border security funding and enforcement.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to S CON RES 70. This amendment would increase funding for border security, guarantee 700 miles of fencing, place 6,000 National Guardsmen on the border, and reimburse state and local law enforcement. The amendment passed 61 to 37.

2008: Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Vitter Amendment to S. Con. Res. 70, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009. The Vitter Amendment would have created a reserve fund to ensure that Federal assistance does not go to sanctuary cities which ignore the immigration laws of the United States and create safe havens for illegal aliens and potential terrorists. The vote to table the Vitter Amendment passed 58 to 40, effectively killing the amendment.

2007-2008: Voted for increasing interior enforcement by funding state and local law enforcement assistance in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Dole Amendment to H.R. 3093, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. The Dole Amendment would have appropriated $75 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for general support of state and local law enforcements assistance in the enforcement of Federal immigration laws. The vote to table the amendment passed by a vote of 50 to 42, effectively killing the amendment.

2007-2008: Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 3093, the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) spending bill. The Vitter Amendment would have denied Federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) funding to state and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities. The vote to table the Vitter Amendment passed 52 to 42, effectively killing the amendment.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment to increase interior enforcement.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Coburn Amendment (SA 1311) to S. 1348 to increase interior enforcement by requiring implementation of US VISIT (entry-exit system) and biometric identification documents. The Coburn Amendment failed by a vote of 42 to 54.

2007-2008: Voted for an amendment that deters employers from hiring illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. The Sessions Amendment would prohibit employers who hire illegal aliens from receiving government contracts. The Sessions Amendment passed by a vote of 94-0.

2006: Voted for an amendment to fund immigration investigators.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 5411, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for 2007. The Sessions Amendment would have added $86 million for 800 additional staff to investigate immigration law violations. The amendment failed by a vote of 34 to 66.

2006: Voted for an amendment that allows local law enforcement to assist border patrol agents.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Bingaman Amendment to S. 2454 to authorize grants to state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies near the borders to assist in immigration enforcement. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote of 84 to 6.

2005-2006: Voted for an amendment to add detention beds to increase interior enforcement.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the McCain amendment to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The McCain amendment would have increased the number of detention beds to those called for in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The McCain amendment failed by a vote of 42 to 56.

2005-2006: Voted in favor of Byrd Amendment to fund additional immigration investigators and agents
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Byrd Amendment to H.R. 1268 (an emergency supplemental spending bill) to provide funding to hire 250 new immigration investigators, and 168 new immigration enforcement agents and deportation officers. The Byrd amendment also provides funds for 2,000 additional detention beds as well as funding to train the new personnel. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), passed 65-34 on April 20, 2005 (3:18 PM).

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Grassley).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored the Basic Pilot Program Extension and Expansion Act of 2003 to extend for five years the voluntary workplace verification program and to expand it to all 50 states. This program is an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from those who have the legal right to work in this country. The Senate passed S. 1685 by Unanimous Consent. It was then passed by the House on voice vote and signed by the President. S. 1685, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), became Public Law No. 108-156.

2002: Voted for a bill to create a comprehensive alien tracking and identification system.
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 to significantly reduce future population growth from illegal immigration by making it much harder for temporary visa holders to stay in the country illegally after their visas expire. H.R. 3525 includes an entry-exit system and an integraded data system with biometric identifiers. H.R. 3525, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), passed the Senate unanimously by a vote of 97-0.

2001-2002: Cosponsored bill to decrease illegal immigration with an alien tracking and identification system (Kennedy).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 to create a comprehensive alien tracking and identification system by implementing an entry-exit system with an integrated database of biometric identifiers for every visa holder. This would have greatly reduced the ability for a visa holder to overstay their visa and become an illegal alien in the U.S. S. 1749, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), did not come to a vote.

2001-2002: Cosponsored bill to decrease illegal immigration with an alien tracking and identification system (Kennedy).
Sen. Grassley cosponsored the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001 to create a comprehensive alien tracking and identification system by implementing an entry-exit system with an integrated database of biometric identifiers for every visa holder. This would have greatly reduced the ability for a visa holder to overstay their visa and become an illegal alien in the U.S. S. 1749, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), did not come to a vote.

1996: Voted against the Abraham Amendment which would get rid of a voluntary workplace verification program
Sen. Grassley voted against the Abraham Amendment to strip the voluntary workplace verification program from S. 1644 (Hatch). Workplace verification programs help reduce illegal immigration by withdrawing the job magnet from illegal aliens. The Abraham Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), failed by a vote of 54-46.

1996: Voted in favor of bill to reduce illegal immigration using interior enforcement, such as restrictions on sanctuary policy (Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted in favor of S. 1644 (whose main sponsor was Sen. Orrin Hatch [R-Utah]) a bill with dozens of provisions aimed at reducing illegal immigration. It included interior enforcement provisions such as restrictions against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens and employer sanction provisions. S. 1644 passed by a vote of 97-3.

1996: Voted in committee against the Hatch Amendment, which reduced fines against employers who hired illegal aliens.
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Senate Judiciary Committee against the Hatch Amendment to S. 1664 (Hatch). The Hatch Amendment stripped the provision from S. 1664 that increased fines against businesses that hire illegal aliens, thus making it less attractive for businesses to hire illegal aliens. The Hatch Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), passed by a vote of 9-8.

1995-1996: Voted in committee to increase interior enforcement using verification programs(Hatch)
Sen. Grassley voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of S. 1664 to reduce illegal immigration through mandatory workplace verification programs. S. 1664, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-4.

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