2023: Schweikert Voted To Expand Reasons To Disqualify Individuals From Claiming Asylum, Including Convictions For Domestic And Child Abuse, Certain Drug Possession Or Trafficking Or DUIs, Traveling Through Other Countries But Not Seeking Asylum In Such Countries. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the Secure The Border Act, which would "expand reasons disqualifying individuals from asylum eligibility, including convictions for certain offenses such as using a false ID, domestic violence, child abuse, certain drug possession or trafficking, and repeated or serious driving while intoxicated; traveling through but not seeking asylum in at least one other country party to certain refugee protection treaties; and ability to avoid persecution by relocating to another part of their home country." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 213, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 209, 5/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
The Bill Would Require DHS To Return Asylum Seekers Who Cannot Be Detained To A Safe Third Country During Their Proceedings. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would require DHS to return asylum seekers who cannot be detained to a safe third country during their immigration proceedings." [Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/23]
The Bill Would Resume The Border Wall Construction, Raise Funding For Border Agents And Upgrade Border Equipment, Re-Implement The "Remain In Mexico Policy," Create New Restrictions On Asylum-Seeking, And Enhance E-Verify. According to CNN, "The bill would restart construction of a border wall, increase funding for border agents and upgraded border technology, reinstate the 'remain in Mexico' policy, place new restrictions on asylum seekers, and enhance requirements for E-verify, a database employers use to verify immigration status." [CNN, 5/11/23]
2020: Schweikert Effectively Voted For Cutting A New Program That Provided Grants To Organizations Assisting Asylum Seekers In The $1.31 Trillion Six-Bill FY 2021 Appropriations Package. In July 2020, Schweikert voted for the motion to recommit the FY 2021 six-bill appropriations package with instructions to, according to Congressional Quarterly, "report it back immediately with an amendment that would decrease by $15 million, the full amount provided, funding for a Justice Department grant program for nonprofits to provide legal representation to immigrants arriving at the southwest U.S. border seeking asylum or other legal protection. It would increase by the same amount funding for DOJ state and local law enforcement assistance grants." The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 197-219. [House Vote 177, 7/31/20; Congressional Quarterly, 7/31/20; Congressional Actions, H.R.7617]
2023: Schweikert Voted To Limit Eligibility For Asylum Within The U.S., Including By Specifying Asylum-Seekers Must Have Arrived At An Official Port Of Entry And Tightening Standards For Persecution Claims. In May 2023, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert voted for the Secure The Border Act, which, "Among provisions limiting eligibility for asylum within the United States, the bill would specify that noncitizens are eligible for asylum only if they arrived at an official U.S. port of entry. It would tighten standards for determining whether an individual has a 'credible fear of persecution' and is persecuted as part of a 'social group' or based on a 'political opinion.'" The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219 to 213, thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 209, 5/11/23; Congressional Quarterly, 5/11/23; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2]
The Bill Would Establish Strict Limits On Asylum Seekers, Require Asylum Seekers To Apply For U.S. Protection Outside Of The Country, And Continue Construction Of The Border Wall And Expand Federal Law Enforcement Efforts. According to Reuters, "The package, which Democrats have warned will be blocked in the Senate, would set tight limits on asylum seekers and require them to apply for U.S. protection outside the country. It also would resume construction of a wall along the border and expand federal law enforcement efforts." [Reuters, 5/12/23]
The Bill Would Resume The Border Wall Construction, Raise Funding For Border Agents And Upgrade Border Equipment, Re-Implement The "Remain In Mexico Policy," Create New Restrictions On Asylum-Seeking, And Enhance E-Verify. According to CNN, "The bill would restart construction of a border wall, increase funding for border agents and upgraded border technology, reinstate the 'remain in Mexico' policy, place new restrictions on asylum seekers, and enhance requirements for E-verify, a database employers use to verify immigration status." [CNN, 5/11/23]
2018: Schweikert Voted Against The So-Called Compromise GOP Immigration Will That Funded The Wall, Provided A Pathway To Citizenship For DACA Recipients, And Increased Asylum Requirements For Those Seeking It. In June 2018, Schweikert voted against the "compromise" immigration proposal between Republican conservatives and moderates. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Passage of the bill that would appropriate $23.4 billion for various border security activities. Included would be $16.6 billion for a 'border wall system,' which would be available from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2027, and $6.8 billion for border security investments, which would be available from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2023. It would provide those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status a six-year renewable contingent non-immigrant legal status and would allow them to apply for a green card after five years, providing a path to citizenship. It would modify legal immigration by ending the diversity visa program and reallocating those visas to other classifications. The bill would require that undocumented immigrants who are charged with a misdemeanor offense for improper entry into the United States be detained with their minor children." The vote was on passage. The House rejected the bill by a vote of 121 to 301. [House Vote 297, 6/27/18; Congressional Quarterly, 6/27/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 6136]