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Senate Passes Cotton, Young Amendment to Prohibit Stimulus Checks for Illegal Immigrants

Press Release

Date: Feb. 4, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Aid Health and Health Care Government Budget and Spending Immigration

An amendment introduced by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Todd Young (R-Indiana) to prohibit Economic Impact Payments (EIP) for illegal immigrants passed the Senate this evening on a bipartisan 58-42 vote.

"We shouldn't give checks to foreigners who've broken our laws. Pandemic relief should go only to Americans, not illegal immigrants," said Senator Cotton.

"It would establish a dangerous precedent if the federal government were to give a direct cash payment to those who have jumped the line and subverted our nation's immigration system to enter the United States," said Senator Young. "I'm pleased the Senate has passed our amendment on a bipartisan basis."

This amendment would have no impact on EIP eligibility for mixed-status families, an issue that was addressed in a bipartisan way in the December 2020 COVID-19 relief package. Rather, it would ensure that Democrats do not loosen the existing eligibility requirements moving forward if there is a new round of payments.


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