Congresswoman Malliotakis Leads House, McConnell, Cotton Lead Senate in Bill to Stop $450k Payments to Illegal Immigrants

Press Release

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) led 22 of her House Republican colleagues in introducing the 'Protect American Tax-payer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act,' legislation that would prevent $450,000 settlement payments for migrants who broke our laws and came into the United States illegally.

This legislation comes as the Biden Administration last month indicated it was considering giving payments of $450,000 per person for separated migrants and children. For perspective, if a service member is killed in action, their next of kin is given an insurance payment of $400,000.

"My constituents work hard, pay taxes and expect the government to put them, not illegal immigrants, first," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "Not only does Biden's plan to give $450,000 to those who broke our laws further incentivize illegal immigration, it's a slap in the face to hardworking Americans and those immigrants, like my parents, who followed the rules and never expected anything except the opportunity to pursue their American Dream."

Additionally, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) have introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

"It would be unthinkable to pay damages to a burglar who broke into your home for the "psychological trauma' they endured during the crime," said Senator Cotton. "And yet the Biden administration wants to reward migrants who illegally entered our country with up to $450,000 each for just that reason. The Biden administration's promises of citizenship and entitlement programs have already caused the worst border crisis in history--a huge cash reward will make it even worse. This is the height of insanity."

Reps. Miller (WV-03), Kelly (PA-16), Jacobs (NY-27), Meuser (PA-09), Harshbarger (TN-01), Gimenez (FL-26), Hern (OK-01), Mace (SC-01), Joyce (PA-13), Guthrie (KY-02), Moore (AL-02), Gosar (AZ-04), Norman (SC-05), Bergman (MI-01), Rogers (AL-03), Cawthorn (NC-11), Owens (UT-04), Smith (NE-03), McKinley (WV-01), Steube (FL-17), Simpson (ID-02), and Cline (VA-06) are all original cosponsors of the bill in the House.

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