Took Weak Positive Action for Support Great Solutions

Acted Negatively for Reduce Chain Migration

Acted Negatively for Reduce Visa Lottery

Acted Negatively for Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas

Took Strong Positive Action for Refugees & Asylees

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Amnesty Enticements

Took Strong Positive Action for Limit Birthright Citizenship

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards

Took Strong Positive Action for Strengthen Border Security

Took Strong Positive Action for Strengthen Interior Enforcement

2015: Cosponsored legislation to end sanctuary cities (Poe) Rep. Collins has cosponsored H.R. 4032, the States Right of Refugee Refusal Act of 2015. The legislation would prevent the federal government from resettling refugees in states where the government has formally disapproved of resettlement. The bill was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to allow states to block refugee resettlement (Poe) Rep. Collins has cosponsored H.R. 4197, the State Refugee Security Act of 2015. The bill allows governors to halt refugee resettlement in their states if there is a security risk to the state. The bill was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to require accurate immigration statistics Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 3151, the Arrest Statistics Reporting Act of 2015. This legislation would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to publish detailed arrest statistics for illegal aliens.

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

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

2015: Cosponsored legislation to reduce foreign worker numbers Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 191, the Repeal Executive Amnesty Act of 2015. This legislation would: 1) Prohibit the Presidents use of granting parole to illegal aliens; 2) Prohibit the Administration from granting work permits to all illegal aliens; 3) Defund all executive actions on immigration, including all memos issued by the Department of Homeland Security; 4) Close the loophole that played a large role in last summers border surge by treating illegal aliens from non-contiguous countries the same as contiguous countries, making them easier to remove; 5) Prohibit illegal aliens from accessing Social Security, medicare, and benefits from the Affordable Care Act; 6) Reinstate the Secure Communities program; 7) Restrict federal funding to municipalities that provide sanctuary to illegal aliens; 8) Prohibit the government from providing legal council to illegal aliens in removal proceedings; and 9) Restrict the Administrations ability to grant and extend Temporary Protected Status to illegal aliens. The bill would also increase pay for ICE agents.

2016: Cosponsored legislation to reform the refugee system (Labrador) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 4731, the Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act. This legislation would: 1) set refugee cap at 60,000, 2) terminate refugee status for those that return to their countries of origin (absent a change in conditions), 3) remove DHSs ability to waive various grounds of inadmissibility for refugee admissions, 4) allow recurrent security vetting of refugees prior to LPR status adjustment, 5) bump back LPR status for refugees from 1 to 3 years, 6) adjust DHSs authority during LPR adjustment, 7) prohibit resettlement in states/localities that refuse resettlement, 8) adjust screening process to reduce fraud, and 9) clarify that displacement or generalized conflicts alone do not qualify an individual for refugee status under the law.

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

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border, in the House Judiciary Committee. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to curtail border surge (Carter) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1149, the Protection of Children Act of 2015, in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation takes excellent steps to resolve the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) along the Southwest border. First, it removes the requirement that only UACs from contiguous countries receive expedited removal. In addition, children are no longer required to make their own independent decision to withdraw their applications for admission, and immigration officers who determine such children are inadmissible may withdraw their applications and return them to their home countries. The transfer time of UACs to HHS is extended to allow for review, and various improvements are made to the SIJ visa and asylum programs. Notably, this bill requires detailed information to be reported to DHS regarding the individuals with whom UACs are placed, including name, social security number, and immigration status. DHS is required to then investigate those with unknown immigration status and initiate removal proceedings on those unlawfully present. The bills main sponsor is Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to curtail border surge (Carter) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 1149, the Protection of Children Act of 2015, which takes excellent steps to resolve the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) along the Southwest border. First, it removes the requirement that only UACs from contiguous countries receive expedited removal. In addition, children are no longer required to make their own independent decision to withdraw their applications for admission, and immigration officers who determine such children are inadmissible may withdraw their applications and return them to their home countries. The transfer time of UACs to HHS is extended to allow for review, and various improvements are made to the SIJ visa and asylum programs. Notably, this bill requires detailed information to be reported to DHS regarding the individuals with whom UACs are placed, including name, social security number, and immigration status. DHS is required to then investigate those with unknown immigration status and initiate removal proceedings on those unlawfully present. The bills main sponsor is Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to reduce refugee fraud Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 191, the Repeal Executive Amnesty Act of 2015. This legislation would: 1) Prohibit the Presidents use of granting parole to illegal aliens; 2) Prohibit the Administration from granting work permits to all illegal aliens; 3) Defund all executive actions on immigration, including all memos issued by the Department of Homeland Security; 4) Close the loophole that played a large role in last summers border surge by treating illegal aliens from non-contiguous countries the same as contiguous countries, making them easier to remove; 5) Prohibit illegal aliens from accessing Social Security, medicare, and benefits from the Affordable Care Act; 6) Reinstate the Secure Communities program; 7) Restrict federal funding to municipalities that provide sanctuary to illegal aliens; 8) Prohibit the government from providing legal council to illegal aliens in removal proceedings; and 9) Restrict the Administrations ability to grant and extend Temporary Protected Status to illegal aliens. The bill would also increase pay for ICE agents.

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

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

2015: Voted in favor of Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Collins voted in favor of an amendment by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) to strip an amnesty provision from the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735). The provision stripped by the Brooks Amendment would have encouraged the Secretary of Defense to waive military enlistment requirements for illegal aliens who received amnesty through Pres. Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Brooks Amendment passed 221-to-202.

2015: Blocks funding for Pres. Obamas DACA and DAPA executive amnesties (Collins) Rep. Collins sponsored Rep. Doug Collins H.R.206, the Immigration Accountability Act. This legislation would block funding for Pres. Obamas executive DAPA amnesty announced in Nov. 2014 and renewals for his 2012 DACA amnesty. This amnesty would result in work permits for approximately 7.1 million illegal aliens who are parents of U.S. citizens or meet other requirements.

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to combat border surge and reduce amnesties (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border, in the House Judiciary Committee. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

2015: Voted AGAINST funding Executive Amnesties by opposing clean DHS Appropriations bill, H.R. 240 Rep. Collins voted against final passage of H.R. 240, the DHS funding bill passed by the Senate which did not include riders to stop President Obamas unconstitutional Executive Amnesties. Although the House had originally passed H.R. 240 with these riders, the Senate stripped them out, thus fully funding the Executive Amnesties through September 2015. When the House voted on the bill as returned from the Senate, Sen. Collins firmly opposed Executive Amnesty by voting against final passage (and consequently for a temporary shut down of DHS). Funding the Presidents illegal amnesties not only made Congress complicit in the Presidents lawless behavior, it also undermined the lawsuit filed by 26 states to stop implementation of the amnesties. If Congress is unwilling to fight to protect its own legislative powers, why should the courts fight on Congresss behalf? The bill passed by a vote of 257-167.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to repeal President Obamas executive amnesties Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 191, the Repeal Executive Amnesty Act of 2015. This legislation would: 1) Prohibit the Presidents use of granting parole to illegal aliens; 2) Prohibit the Administration from granting work permits to all illegal aliens; 3) Defund all executive actions on immigration, including all memos issued by the Department of Homeland Security; 4) Close the loophole that played a large role in last summers border surge by treating illegal aliens from non-contiguous countries the same as contiguous countries, making them easier to remove; 5) Prohibit illegal aliens from accessing Social Security, medicare, and benefits from the Affordable Care Act; 6) Reinstate the Secure Communities program; 7) Restrict federal funding to municipalities that provide sanctuary to illegal aliens; 8) Prohibit the government from providing legal council to illegal aliens in removal proceedings; and 9) Restrict the Administrations ability to grant and extend Temporary Protected Status to illegal aliens. The bill would also increase pay for ICE agents.

2015: Voted in favor of Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas Nov. 2014 amnesty Rep. Collins voted in favor of the Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Aderholt Amendment would defund implementation of all Obama and DHS November 2014 memoranda; defund 4 of the 5 Morton Memos that deal with prosecutorial discretion and detail who ICE agents can and cant deport; and prohibit federal benefits from being given to any illegal alien covered by the November memoranda. The Aderholt Amendment passed by a vote of 237-190.

2015: Voted in favor of Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas DACA amnesty Rep. Collins voted in favor of the Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Blackburn Amendment would defund the processing of applications and renewals of President Obamas 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, thus making it impossible for DACA recipients to continue to receive legal status. The Blackburn Amendment passed by a vote of 218-209.

2015: Cosponsoring a bill that ends birthright citizenship (King). Rep. Collins is cosponsoring H.R. 140, which eliminates birthright citizenship, the process that automatically grants citizenship to the estimated 350,000 U.S.-born children of illegal aliens each year. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) is the main sponsor of this bill.

2015: Sponsored legislation to reduce illegal alien tax fraud Rep. Collins sponsored H.R. 3123, the Tax Credit Accountability Act of 2015. This legislation would prohibit illegal aliens that receive amnesty through Pres. Obamas executive amnesties from receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit for tax years before receiving amnesty.

2015: Voted in favor of H.R. 1148 to reduce rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. The legislation would prevent cities from providing sanctuary to illegal aliens and would provide funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that reimburses states for incarcerating illegal aliens. The legislation would help reduce rewards for illegal immigration by preventing cities from providing a safe harbor for illegal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC).

2015: Cosponsoring H.R. 1148 to reduce rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Collins is cosponsoring H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC). This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. The legislation would prevent cities from providing sanctuary to illegal aliens and would provide funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that reimburses states for incarcerating illegal aliens. The legislation would help reduce rewards for illegal immigration by preventing cities from providing a safe harbor for illegal aliens.

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to combat border surge and reduce illegal immigration (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border, in the House Judiciary Committee. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.

2016: Cosponsoring legislation to deport criminal aliens Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 5103, the Criminal Alien Detention and Removal Act. This legislation require the deportation of criminal aliens who are subject to supervised release.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to strengthen interior enforcement (B. Carter) Rep. Collins has cosponsored H.R. 4007, the ALERTED Act of 2015. This legislation would strengthen interior enforcement by allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to consider issuing a detainer for an alien who has violated laws other than those related to controlled substances. The bill was introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.).

2015: Voted in favor of H.R. 1148 to increase interior enforcement Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC).

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to curtail border surge (Carter) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1149, the Protection of Children Act of 2015, in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation takes excellent steps to resolve the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) along the Southwest border. First, it removes the requirement that only UACs from contiguous countries receive expedited removal. In addition, children are no longer required to make their own independent decision to withdraw their applications for admission, and immigration officers who determine such children are inadmissible may withdraw their applications and return them to their home countries. The transfer time of UACs to HHS is extended to allow for review, and various improvements are made to the SIJ visa and asylum programs. Notably, this bill requires detailed information to be reported to DHS regarding the individuals with whom UACs are placed, including name, social security number, and immigration status. DHS is required to then investigate those with unknown immigration status and initiate removal proceedings on those unlawfully present. The bills main sponsor is Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.).

2015: Voted in favor of legislation to mandate E-Verify (Smith) Rep. Collins voted in favor of H.R. 1147, the Legal Workforce Act of 2015, in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation would require most employers to use E-Verify within two years of enactment. Large employers, federal, state, and local agencies and federal and state contractors would need to comply within six months. The bill would also make the E-Verify program permanent. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is the bills main sponsor.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to curtail border surge (Carter) Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 1149, the Protection of Children Act of 2015, which takes excellent steps to resolve the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) along the Southwest border. First, it removes the requirement that only UACs from contiguous countries receive expedited removal. In addition, children are no longer required to make their own independent decision to withdraw their applications for admission, and immigration officers who determine such children are inadmissible may withdraw their applications and return them to their home countries. The transfer time of UACs to HHS is extended to allow for review, and various improvements are made to the SIJ visa and asylum programs. Notably, this bill requires detailed information to be reported to DHS regarding the individuals with whom UACs are placed, including name, social security number, and immigration status. DHS is required to then investigate those with unknown immigration status and initiate removal proceedings on those unlawfully present. The bills main sponsor is Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.).

2015: Cosponsoring H.R. 1148 to increase interior enforcement Rep. Collins is cosponsoring H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC). This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to increase interior immigration enforcement. Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 191, the Repeal Executive Amnesty Act of 2015. This legislation would: 1) Prohibit the Presidents use of granting parole to illegal aliens; 2) Prohibit the Administration from granting work permits to all illegal aliens; 3) Defund all executive actions on immigration, including all memos issued by the Department of Homeland Security; 4) Close the loophole that played a large role in last summers border surge by treating illegal aliens from non-contiguous countries the same as contiguous countries, making them easier to remove; 5) Prohibit illegal aliens from accessing Social Security, medicare, and benefits from the Affordable Care Act; 6) Reinstate the Secure Communities program; 7) Restrict federal funding to municipalities that provide sanctuary to illegal aliens; 8) Prohibit the government from providing legal council to illegal aliens in removal proceedings; and 9) Restrict the Administrations ability to grant and extend Temporary Protected Status to illegal aliens. The bill would also increase pay for ICE agents.

2015: Cosponsored legislation to block funding for sanctuary cities Rep. Collins cosponsored H.R. 3437, the Protecting American Lives Act. This legislation would block SCAAP funding and other law enforcement grants to local jurisdictions that pass ordinances or otherwise prevent local officials from cooperating the federal immigration agents.