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119-s-3318119th CongressWALLET

American Citizens First Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

Introduced

Summary

Would bar noncitizens from most federal public benefits. The bill also expands fast-track removals, adds denaturalization for certain violent or subversive acts, and creates new reviews and automatic terminations tied to security and crime data.

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  • Families and noncitizens: Would deny noncitizens access to federal public benefits as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1611(c). That list includes welfare or needs-based cash aid, Medicaid except for emergency care, SNAP food assistance, federal housing help, federal student aid, and the refundable portion of federal tax credits.
  • Naturalized citizens: Would allow denaturalization and expedited removal for naturalized citizens who, after naturalization, are convicted of or credibly found by the Department of Homeland Security to have joined riots, violent protests, property destruction, or acts meant to overthrow or disrupt the constitutional order.
  • Immigration enforcement and program changes: Would broaden expedited removal to apply regardless of how long someone has been present and narrow discretionary exceptions to credible fear claims that pass review. It would require comprehensive security re‑checks of Afghan refugees, parolees, and special immigrant visa holders admitted from January 20, 2021 onward, suspend Afghan refugee and special immigrant visa processing and resettlement funds until DHS certifies completion, and create automatic termination rules for Temporary Protected Status when DHS finds conditions no longer warrant it or when a designated nationality’s crime rate exceeds the national average by 20 percent, with DHS required to calculate and report these rates every 180 days and apply the rule retroactively to recent designations including Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and Somalia.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Bar most federal benefits for noncitizens

If enacted, the bill would bar people who are not U.S. citizens or nationals from most federal public benefits. That includes welfare cash help, SNAP (food stamps), federal housing aid, federal student aid, and the refundable part of tax credits. Medicaid would be cut except for emergency medical services. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Automatic end of TPS for some nationals

If enacted, the bill would automatically end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of a designated country in two cases. First, if the Secretary finds country conditions no longer warrant TPS. Second, if a semiannual DHS report shows the crime rate among those nationals is at least 20% higher than the U.S. average. DHS would calculate these rates within 180 days after enactment and every 180 days after that. The rule would apply retroactively to TPS designations made after January 20, 2021, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and Somalia.

Denaturalization for violent acts

If enacted, a naturalized U.S. citizen who, after naturalization, is convicted of or credibly found to have taken part in a riot, violent unlawful protest, property destruction, or acts to overthrow the government could lose citizenship and face removal. The bill would allow denaturalization and removal through expedited proceedings regardless of how long ago naturalization occurred. These rules would take effect upon enactment.

Pause Afghan resettlement and review

If enacted, DHS would re-interview and run biometric checks on Afghans admitted as refugees, special immigrant visa holders, or paroled in from January 20, 2021 through enactment. DHS must certify to Congress when the review is complete. While certification is pending, Afghan refugee and SIV processing would be suspended and no federal resettlement funds could be used for Afghan nationals. Anyone DHS finds to pose a safety or national security risk could be subject to expedited removal.

Broaden expedited removal at the border

If enacted, the bill would let DHS use expedited removal against any person present in the U.S. without admission or parole, no matter how long they have been here. DHS would be required to carry out expedited removal to the fullest extent allowed. DHS could only make exceptions for credible fear of persecution claims that are upheld after review. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cotton, Tom [R-AR]

AR • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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