Sen. Cotton Introduces American Citizens First Act to End Federal Benefits for Non-Citizens
The American Citizens First Act is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently sent to the Senate Committee on Finance for review. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time, and the bill is waiting for the committee to decide on its next steps.
This bill proposes very strict changes that would likely face strong opposition in the Senate and legal challenges in court. It lacks the broad support needed to pass a divided Congress.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Undocumented immigrants would face two major changes. First, they would lose all federal benefits they currently receive, including emergency Medicaid exceptions beyond basic emergency care, SNAP, and housing assistance. Second, the expanded expedited removal authority means anyone without legal status could be deported without a full immigration court hearing, regardless of how long they have lived in the U.S. This eliminates the current 14-day/100-mile limits on expedited removal.
“An alien described in this subclause is an alien who has not been admitted or paroled into the United States and who is present in the United States without having been admitted or paroled, regardless of the period of time elapsed since the date on which such alien entered the United States”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Senator Tom Cotton introduced the American Citizens First Act in December to strengthen immigration policy. The bill aims to end federal benefits for non-citizens and allow for the denaturalization of those who participate in violent riots or disrupt the constitutional order.
Following a fatal shooting near the White House, President Trump announced plans to 'permanently pause' migration from certain countries and end federal benefits for non-citizens. He also proposed denaturalizing migrants who 'undermine domestic tranquility.'
The shooting of two National Guard members has sparked a fierce policy debate. The Trump administration is pushing the American Citizens First Act to cut federal subsidies for non-citizens and expand the government's power to deport individuals without court hearings.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
American Citizens First Act
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