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

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing chain migration.
Sen. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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 for an amendment to increase chain migration.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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 for an amendment to expand chain migration.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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. Sanders 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.

1996: Voted for the Chrysler-Berman Amendment that would continue the practice of chain migration.
Senator Sanders voted for the Chrysler-Berman Amendment to H.R.2202 (Smith). Had the amendment failed, H.R.2202 would have eliminated or significantly reduced several extended-family immigration categories. It would have reduced overall legal immigration by almost 2.5 million over a ten-year period. Instead, the amendment, sponsored by congressmen Chrysler, Berman and Brownback, passed by 238-183.

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

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

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

1996: Voted for an amendment that increased the number of visas in the visa lottery.
Rep. Sanders voted for the Chrysler-Berman Amendment to H.R.2202 (Smith). This was a vote against a 50 percent reduction in the number of visas allocated to the lottery category. H.R.2202 would have reduced overall legal immigration by approximately 27,000 a year by cutting the lottery in half, which would have been a reduction of 270,000 over 10 years. Ultimately, the Chrysler-Berman Amendment, sponsored by congressmen Chrysler, Berman and Brownback, passed by a vote of 238-183, stripping legal reforms from the bill.

2023: Sponsored S. 979 to prevent B visa abuses
Sen. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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 the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Sanders voted in favor of H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill allows for the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of H-2B guest worker visas issued in FY2019.

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

2015: Voted against the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Sen. Sanders 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 against H.R. 2146 to grant President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Sen. Sanders voted against final passage of Trade Promotion Authority bill, H.R. 2146. (NOTE: in order to pass TPA the House of Representatives split the original bill Senate-passed bill H.R. 1314 into two bills, one dealing with Trade Adjustment Assistance and one dealing with the TransPacific Partnership. As a result, when the legislation came back to the Senate for a final vote, the Senate had to attach the TPA language to another House-originated bill, H.R. 2146 and vote to pass that legislation). This legislation would set up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs. H.R. 2146 passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38.

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

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

2007-2008: Voted on Senate floor against increasing foreign worker importation.
Sen. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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 for an amendment to sunset guestworker provisions of a bill.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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 for an amendment to remove a proposed guestworker program in a bill.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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.

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

2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to prevent the displacement of American workers for foreign workers (DeLauro)
Rep. Sanders cosponsored of H.R. 3381 to provide much needed protections for American workers by preventing employers using the L-1 visa to hire foreign workers from displacing American workers to hire L-1s. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) was the primary cosponsor.

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

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

2003-2004: Voted against a bill to create worker importation program (DeLay).
Rep. Sanders voted against the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739 that would permit an unlimited number of tech and professional workers to enter the U.S. on L-1 visas. H.R. 2739, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 272-155.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill preventing employers from hiring foreign workers to displace American workers (DeLauro).
Rep. Sanders cosponsored H.R. 2702, a bill to provide much needed protections for American workers by preventing employers using the L-1 visa to hire foreign workers and displacing American workers to hire L-1s. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) was the primary sponsor.

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

1996: Voted for an amendment that would have increased the importation of foreign workers.
Senator Sanders voted for the Chrysler-Berman Amendment to H.R.2202 (Smith). It was a vote in favor of a continuous stream of unskilled workers--those who compete with Americans and other immigrants for low-wage jobs and further depress the wages for those jobs. Had the amendment failed, H.R.2202 would have reduced overall legal immigration by almost 2.5 million over a ten-year period. Instead, the amendment, sponsored by congressmen Chrysler, Berman and Brownback, passed by 238-183.

1996: Voted against the Burr Amendment which would continue a foreign nurse guestwork program
The Burr amendment to H.R.2202 would have continued a foreign nurses guestworker program. The amendment, sponsored by Richard Burr, was defeated 154-262.

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

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

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

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 557, the REUNITE Act, introduces by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 557, the REUNITE Act of 2019. This legislation would require the reunification of separated families, require expanded ATD, create local offices of reunification, and allocate $50,000,000 for these purposes. The legislation would encourage more family units to cross the U.S. border illegally.

2019: Cosponsored S. 661, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection and Welfare Act of 2019, introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 661, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection and Welfare Act of 2019. This legislation would implement confidentiality provisions, prohibit family separations, and put in place new standards of care and access to legal counsel for illegal alien minors. The legislation would encourage unaccompanied alien children and family units to cross the border illegally.

2019: Cosponsored S. 388, the Families, Not Facilities Act, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 388, the Families, Not Facilities Act of 2019. It would transfer $220 million to the Department of Justice, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and Administration for Children and Families. In doing so, the legislation would encourage additional UACs and family units to cross the border illegally.

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

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

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

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

2015: Voted against the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Sen. Sanders 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 in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to increase refugee and asylum fraud (Schumer) Sen. Sanders in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

None

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

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

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

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

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

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

1996: Voted for an amendment which would have resulted in higher refugee admissions.
Rep. Sanders voted for the Chrysler-Berman Amendment to H.R. 2202 (Smith) that stripped legal immigration reforms from the legislation. This was a vote against reducing annual refugee admissions, as recommended by the Barbara Jordan Commission. The amendment, sponsored by congressmen Chrysler, Berman and Brownback, passed by a vote of 238-183 and the comprehensive reforms were removed from the bill.

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

2025: (Jan. 17) Sen. Sanders voted against 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. Sanders voted in favor of 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. Sanders voted against 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.)

2023: Sponsored S. 1392 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens who worked during COVID
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1392, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant Legal Permanent Residence to illegal aliens who held essential jobs, which includes most jobs, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

2021: Sponsored S. 1375, the Families Belong Together Act, to grant amnesty to certain individuals deported by Pres. Trump Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1375, the Families Belong Together Act, introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The legislation would grant amnesty to members of family unites who were deported as a result of Pres. Trumps zero tolerance policy. This would award green cards to approximately 6,000 individuals.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 2478, the Bahamas Temporary Protected Status Act of 2019, to grant TPS to Bahamians Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 2478, the Bahamas Temporary Protected Status Act of 2019, introduced by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The bill would grant Temporary Protected Status to Bahamians, including those present illegally at the time of enactment.

2019: Cosponsored S. 879, the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 879, the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act. This legislation would give Legal Permanent Residency to all foreign citizens (mostly illegal aliens) who have received Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure, including those removed or deported pursuant to a voluntary departure order. Approximately 440,000 foreign citizens would receive LPR status under this bill.

2019: Cosponsored legislation granting amnesty to Ag workers (Feinstein) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 175, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3 million agricultural workers. The bill would also prevent prosecution of illegal aliens who receive the amnesty from identity theft if they used a stolen social security number to obtain a job. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

None

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

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

2011: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty Sen. Sanders is a cosponsor of S 952, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2011. S 952 would grant amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 35 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came (illegally) to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

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

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

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty (Durbin).
Sen. Sanders is a cosponsor of S. 729, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2007. S. 729 grant amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 35 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came (illegally) to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) is the main sponsor of this bill.

2007-2008: Voted in favor of the DREAM Act amnesty for illegal aliens.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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. Sanders 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 against an amendment to bar certain criminals from amnesty.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 against an amendment to strip amnesty provisions from a bill.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 against an amendment to create a disincentive to apply for amnesty.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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.

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

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

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

1999-2000: cosponsored bill to pass another amnesty (Gutierrez).
Rep. Sanders cosponsored H.R.36, which would have rewarded approximately one million illegal aliens from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti, including their spouses and children, with a direct path to U.S. citizenship. The main sponsor of this bill was Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.).

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

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

Sen. Sanders co-sponsored the Born in the USA Act (S. 646) to block President Trump’s executive order reforming birthright citizenship.

The Born in the USA Act (Jacky Rosen, R-NV) prohibits funds being used to implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14160 to limit birthright citizenship to the children of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.  The legislation would also severely damage the ability for Congress to statutorily limit birthright citizenship in the future.

Sen. Sanders sponsored the Medicare for All Act (S. 1506) to extend Medicare benefits to illegal aliens.

The Medicare for All Act (Bernie Sanders, I-VT) would allow illegal aliens living in the United States to have access to Medicare benefits. However, it would allow the federal government to create a rule to deny coverage to anyone who comes to the U.S. for the sole purpose of accessing the benefit.

Sen. Sanders co-sponsored the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act (S. 1297) to provide taxpayer-funded attorneys to UACs.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 (by Mazie Hirono, D-HI) would mandate legal counsel for Unaccompanied Alien Children who are apprehended after crossing the border illegally.

2022: Sponsored S. 4204 to extend Medicare benefits to illegal aliens Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 4204, the Medicare for All Act, introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.). The legislation would allow illegal aliens living in the United States to have access to Medicare benefits. However, it would allow the federal government to create a rule to deny coverage to anyone who comes to the U.S. for the sole purpose of accessing the benefit.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 1095, the American Dream Employment Act, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 1095, the American Dream Employment Act of 2019. This legislation would provide recipients of the DACA executive amnesty with housing and jobs within the United States Senate.

2019: Cosponsored legislation granting amnesty to Ag workers (Feinstein) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 175, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2019. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 3 million agricultural workers. The bill would also prevent prosecution of illegal aliens who receive the amnesty from identity theft if they used a stolen social security number to obtain a job. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

2015: Voted against an amendment to prevent illegal aliens receiving tax credits (Sessions) Sen. Sanders voted against 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 in favor of invoking cloture on legislation to amnesty illegal aliens (Schumer) Sen. Sanders in favor of invoking cloture on S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, the Gang of Eights comprehensive amnesty bill. The legislation would amnesty and provide a pathway to citizenship for 11-18 million illegal aliens living in the United States and drastically increase legal immigration to the United States. The legislation does mandate use of the E-Verify system, ends the visa lottery, and increases border patrol manpower (though, without spelling out the duties of the additional agents). The motion passed 82-15. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is bills main sponsor.

2011: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition Sen. Sanders is a cosponsor of S 952, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2011. S 952 would allow illegal aliens to pay in-state tuition at Americas public colleges and universities. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

2010: Voted against an amendment that supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders has decided illegal aliens should not be punished for living and working illegally in the United States.

2010: Voted against an amendment that supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders has decided illegal aliens should not be punished for living and working illegally in the United States.

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment that prevented illegal aliens from acquiring credit cards.
Sen. Sanders opposed the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 627, The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2009. The amendment 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. By opposing this amendment the Senator helped illegal aliens remain in the United States. The amendment failed 28-65.

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment that prevented illegal aliens from acquiring credit cards.
Sen. Sanders opposed the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 627, The Credit Cardholders Bill of Rights Act of 2009. The amendment 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. By opposing this amendment the Senator helped illegal aliens remain in the United States. The amendment failed 28-65.

2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition (Durbin).
Sen. Sanders is a cosponsor of S. 729, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2007. S. 729 would grant illegal aliens permanent resident status and allow them to pay in-state tuition at Americas public colleges and universities. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) was the main sponsor of this bill.

2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to eliminate rewards for illegal immigration.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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.

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

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

2005: Voted against H.R. 418 to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. Sanders voted against legal presence requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers licenses. As well

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

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

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

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

2004: Voted in committee against secure ID amendment (Royce) to HR 10 to limit non-citizen identification methods
Rep. Sanders voted as part of the Financial Services Committee, in against the Royce Amendment to H.R. 10. The Royce Amendment would have limited the forms of identification non-citizens could use at financial institutions. This would have prevented illegal aliens from using insecure documents such as consular-issued ID cards for banking services. The Royce Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), failed by a vote of 22 to 47.

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

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

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

1996: Voted against bill denying illegal aliens in-state tuition (Smith)
Rep. Sanders voted against H.R. 2202 that denied illegal aliens in-state tuition, in addition to almost all forms of federal welfare. The primary sponsor was Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

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

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

Sen. Sanders co-sponsored the NO BAN Act (S. 391) to strictly limit presidential authority to limit or halt immigration.

The NO BAN Act (by Chris Coons, D-DE) would strictly limit the president’s broad authority found under 8 USC 1182(f) to stop immigration. The authority was used to limit travel into the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and limit travel by citizens of and visitors to terrorist-producing countries.
 

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

2023: Sponsored S. 342 to allow illegal border crossers to have access to council
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 342, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would require a time period for aliens at port of entry to access counsel, effective slowing down crossing at ports of entry for everyone.

2021: Sponsored S. 1912 to slow down processing at ports of entry Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1912, the Access to Counsel Act of 2021, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would require a time period for anyone deemed to be inadmissible at a port of entry access to counsel. Doing so would significantly clog ports of entry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 534, the Protecting Disaster Relief Funds Act, introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-N.Y.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 534, the Protecting Disaster Relief Funds Act of 2019. This legislation would block certain funds from being used for President Trumps border wall, these funds included primarily disaster relief funds, as well as funds given to the Army Corps of Engineers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010: Voted against an amendment that promoted border security and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders indicated that the border should remain porous, making it easier for individuals to cross the border illegally.

2010: Voted against an amendment that promoted border security and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders indicated that the border should remain porous, making it easier for individuals to cross the border illegally.

2010: Voted against an amendment to increase the number of men and women patrolling the border.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment that would have helped stop the flow of drugs across the border.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment that would have helped the Justice Department handle immigration-related cases on the border more efficiently.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment to increase the number of men and women patrolling the border.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment that would have helped the Justice Department handle immigration-related cases on the border more efficiently.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment that would have helped stop the flow of drugs across the border.
Sen. Sanders 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 against an amendment to complete 700 miles of border fencing.
Sen. Sanders Voted against 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. Fortunately, the DeMint amendment passed 54-44.

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment to complete 700 miles of border fencing.
Sen. Sanders Voted against 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. Fortunately, the DeMint amendment passed 54-44.

2008: Voted against an amendment to increase border security funding and enforcement.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 against an amendment to increase border control.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 prevent border tunnels.
Rep. Sanders voted in favor of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Protection Act of 2006 to penalize any person who constructs or uses a border tunnel. H.R. 4830 passed by a vote of 422 to 0.

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

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

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

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

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

None

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

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

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

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

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

None

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

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

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

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

1996: Voted against a bill to reduce illegal immigration with border control, such as increased Border Patrol forces.
Rep. Sanders voted against H.R. 2202, 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 previously apprehended and deported. H.R. 2202, sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 333-87.

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

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

Sen. Sanders co-sponsored the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455) to strictly limit where ICE can enforce the law.

The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (by Richard Blumenthal, D-CT) would prohibit ICE from detaining illegal aliens in certain locations.
 

Sen. Sanders voted against 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. Sanders voted against 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).

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

2025: (Jan. 17) Sen. Sanders voted against 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. Sanders voted in favor of 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. Sanders voted against 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.)

2023: Sponsored S. 1208 to weaken interior enforcement.
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1208, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act of 2023, introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (R-N.J.). The legislation would require annual in-person inspections of detention facilities, require public disclosure of detention facilities, allow for civil claims for those injured while in detention, require taxpayer-funded transportation for aliens through their court proceedings, limits bond to not impose financial hardship on the alien, and a presumption for release. Additionally, the bill will phase out private detention facilities, require an immigration warrant for all detentions, and ban detention of aliens under 21, over 60, pregnant, LGBTQ, victims or witnesses of crimes, filed a nonfrivolous civil rights or workplace claim, has a serious mental or physical illness, or disability, has been determined to have credible fear, has limited English and isn't given access to language services quickly, or has experienced "gender-based violence."

2023: Sponsored S. 1187 to expand legal access for illegal aliens
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1187, the Fairness to Freedom Act, introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). The legislation would establish a right to counsel in immigration proceedings. Further, it would create an Office of Immigration Representation and authorizes an amount to be appropriated equal to what is spent on enforcement.

2023: Sponsored S. 1343 to discourage sanctuary cities
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1343, the Fair Adjudications for Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would redefine convictions for illegal aliens to only include a final order of guilt from a judge.

2023: Sponsored S. 1392 to strictly limit interior enforcement
Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1392, the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would prevent removal of most illegal aliens by creating broad exemptions that would cover most aliens illegaly present in the United States.

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

2022: Sponsored S. 2954 to redefine the term conviction in immigration courts Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 2954, the Fair Adjudications for Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The legislation would redefine a conviction in immigration courts to only include guilty convictions by immigration judges.

2022: Sponsored S. 4529 to limit family separation Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 4529, the Childrens Safe Welcome Act, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). The legislation would strictly limit family separation for aliens while in either DHS or HHS custody. The legislation would also ban family detention centers and reinforce the Flores Settlement Agreement that limits the amount of time that DHS can detain children.

2021: Sponsored S. 1186, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, to significantly weaken interior enforcement Sen. Sanders sponsored S. 1186, the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). The legislation would make it extremely difficult for DHS to detain illegal aliens and provide those that are detained with a number of benefits. The legislation would also ban contracts with private detention facilities, repeal mandatory detention provisions, limit bond amounts, and ban the use of ankle monitors, among other things.

2020: Voted in favor of H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on Senate floor Sen. Sanders 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. 1591, the End Mass Deportation Act, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 1591, the End Mass Deportation Act, introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). The bill would nullify Pres. Trumps interior enforcement executive order issued in Jan. 2017 that established priorities for enforcement, encouraged support for 287(g) agreements, and called for penalties for sanctuary jurisdictions.

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

2019: Cosponsored S. 1440 to terminate the 287(g) program Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 1440, the PROTECT Immigration Act, introduced by Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), that would prohibit all cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agents in the enforcement of immigration laws. The bill would restrict all immigration enforcement efforts to only federal immigration officers.

2019: Cosponsored S. 2389, the FAIR Proceedings Act, to provide taxpayer funded counsel to illegal aliens Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 2389, the FAIR Proceedings Act, introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The bill would allow for taxpayer counsel, require mandatory counsel for children and vulnerable aliens, and guarantee access to counsel and legal orientation at detention facilities.

2019: Cosponsored S. 879, the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 879, the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act. This legislation would give Legal Permanent Residency to all foreign citizens (mostly illegal aliens) who have received Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure, including those removed or deported pursuant to a voluntary departure order. Approximately 440,000 foreign citizens would receive LPR status under this bill.

2019: Cosponsored S. 557, the REUNITE Act, introduces by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Cali.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 557, the REUNITE Act of 2019. This legislation would require the reunification of separated families, allow for attorneys to help alien minors bring suit against the government, allow for the waiving of DNA tests to confirm familial connections. The legislation would encourage more family units to cross the U.S. border illegally.

2019: Cosponsored S. 661, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection and Welfare Act of 2019, introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 661, the Child Trafficking Victims Protection and Welfare Act of 2019. This legislation would mandate that Customs and Border Patrol have child welfare training, the creation of new protections for children including procedures to ensure they get back to separated parents, and require an assessment as to the best interests of the child and family members regarding deportation. The legislation would encourage unaccompanied alien children and family units to cross the border illegally.

2019: Cosponsored S. 388, the Families, Not Facilities Act, introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 388, the Families, Not Facilities Act of 2019. This legislation would prohibit the use of information provided by UACs to apprehend, detain, or remove UACs, custodians, residents of the home, or sponsors. It would not allow funds to be used for enforcement, detention, and removal operations in violation of the Wilberforce Act. In doing so, the legislation would encourage additional UACs and family units to cross the border illegally.

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

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

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

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

2017: Cosponsored legislation ending the 287(g) program (Booker) Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 303. This legislation would end the 287(g) program by prohibiting the federal government from entering into agreements with states and local jurisdictions to assist with immigration enforcement efforts. The bills main sponsor is Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).

2017: Cosponsored S. 415, introduced by Sen. Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), to void President Trumps sanctuary city executive order Sen. Sanders cosponsored S. 415, legislation that would void President Trumps executive order that prevented sanctuary cities from receiving certain federal funds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010: Voted against an amendment that promoted interior enforcement and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders indicated that illegal aliens should be allowed to live normally in the United States (including taking American jobs) without fear of arrest or deportation.

2010: Voted against an amendment that promoted interior enforcement and supported Arizonas immigration enforcement law.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 opposing the amendment, Sen. Sanders indicated that illegal aliens should be allowed to live normally in the United States (including taking American jobs) without fear of arrest or deportation.

2009-2010: Voted for tabling an amendment that would have denied federal funding to states and localities with sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Sanders 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 Vitter Amendment was tabled, with Sen. Sanderss vote essentially promoting sanctuaries for illegal aliens.

2009-2010: Voted for tabling an amendment that would have denied federal funding to states and localities with sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Sanders 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 Vitter Amendment was tabled, with Sen. Sanderss vote essentially promoting sanctuaries for illegal aliens.

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment to permanently reauthorize the E-Verify system.
Sen. Sanders voted for 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. By attempting to table the Sessions amendment, Sen. Sanders voted to give American jobs to illegal aliens.

2009-2010: Voted against an amendment to permanently reauthorize the E-Verify system.
Sen. Sanders voted for 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. By attempting to table the Sessions amendment, Sen. Sanders voted to give American jobs to illegal aliens.

2009-2010: Voted against employment verification by opposing a 5 year extension of E-Verify.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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 for the tabling of Sen. Sessions amendment, Sen. Sanders opposed the long-term reauthorization of E-Verify. The final vote was 50-47.

2009-2010: Voted against employment verification by opposing a 5 year extension of E-Verify.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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 for the tabling of Sen. Sessions amendment, Sen. Sanders opposed the long-term reauthorization of E-Verify. The final vote was 50-47.

2008: Voted against an amendment to increase border security funding and enforcement.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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 in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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 against increasing interior enforcement by funding state and local law enforcement assistance in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of tabling the Dole Amendment to H.R. 309, 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 in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Sen. Sanders voted in favor of 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 against an amendment to increase interior enforcement.
Sen. Sanders voted against 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. Sanders 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 against a bill that increases interior enforcement by allowing the federal government to remove aliens from El Salvador.
Rep. Sanders voted against H.R. 6095 to clarify state and local law enforcements inherent authority to enforce Federal immigration laws and overturn a decades-old court injunction that impedes the Federal governments ability to remove aliens from El Salvador on an expedited basis. H.R. 6095 passed by a vote of 277-140.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

None

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1996: Voted against a bill to increase interior enforcement, such as restricting sanctuary cities.
Rep. Sanders voted against H.R. 2202, a large omnibus bill with dozens of provisions aimed at reducing illegal immigration. Among the interior enforcement measures included in the bill were restrictions against sanctuary cities for illegal aliens. H.R. 2202, sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 333-87.

1996: Voted for an amendment that would have ended a workplace verification program.
Rep. Sanders voted in favor of the Chabot Amendment to H.R. 2202 to kill the voluntary pilot workplace verification program in 5 states. Workplace verification is an essential tool for withdrawing the job magnet from illegal aliens. The Chabot Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), failed by a vote of 260-159.

1996: Voted against the Gallegly Amendment to increase interior enforcement through mandatory workplace verification pilot program
Rep. Sanders voted against the Gallegly Amendment to H.R. 2202 (Smith) to make the pilot workplace verification program mandatory in five states. This would have helped reduce illegal immigration by reducing the job magnet for illegal aliens. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), failed by a vote of 86-331.