Senator Tom Cotton has introduced legislation aimed at restricting federal benefits for noncitizens in the United States. The proposed bill seeks to eliminate access to programs such as Medicaid, housing assistance, student financial aid, and food stamps for individuals who are not U.S. citizens. Announced on the morning of March 13, 2024, this initiative is part of Cotton’s broader effort to prioritize American citizens in the allocation of federal resources.
The legislation includes several significant provisions, including the potential denaturalization of naturalized citizens who participate in unlawful protests characterized by violence or property damage. Specifically, Cotton’s bill would expand the authority for expedited removal of noncitizens and would require a “mandatory revetting” of nationals from Afghanistan, particularly those who entered the country under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program.
Under this proposal, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to certain groups would also face automatic termination. TPS was established under the Immigration Act of 1990 to protect individuals from deportation due to conditions in their home countries, such as armed conflict or natural disasters. Cotton’s bill stipulates that TPS would be revoked if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that conditions in the designated countries no longer warrant protection or if crime rates among nationals from those countries exceed the national average by 20 percent.
Historically, TPS has been renewed multiple times across different administrations, effectively serving as a de facto amnesty program. Under Cotton’s legislation, this would apply retroactively to designations made after President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, impacting nationals from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Venezuela, and Somalia.
In a statement to Breitbart News, Cotton emphasized the need for this legislation by stating, “Hardworking Arkansans should not be forced to support non-U.S. citizens on federal programs. My bill will put American citizens first.” This sentiment resonates with a growing debate in U.S. politics regarding immigration and the allocation of federal resources.
While the bill’s impact on federal programs remains to be seen, it underscores a significant shift in policy approach towards noncitizens and highlights the ongoing discussions around immigration reform in Congress. As the proposal moves forward, it is poised to generate further debate among lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public at large, reflecting the contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States today.
Senator Cotton’s initiative, if passed, would mark a critical moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration and federal assistance, potentially reshaping the landscape of support for noncitizens in America.
