Cotton Introduces Bill to Put American Citizens First

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
December 3, 2025

Cotton Introduces Bill to Put American Citizens First

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to prioritize Arkansans and ensure that migrants are not benefiting at the expense of American citizens. The American Citizens First Act will tighten immigration standards to protect American citizens.

“Hardworking Arkansans should not be forced to support non-U.S. citizens on federal programs. My bill will put American citizens first,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The American Citizens First Act would:

• End federal benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, student financial aid, etc.) for anyone who is not a U.S. Citizen.
• Allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to strip citizenship from any naturalized person who joins a riot, commits violent or destructive protests, or tries to overthrow or disrupt America’s constitutional order.
• Expedite removal proceedings for asylum seekers.
• Require a full review of every Afghan let in as a refugee, parolee, or special visa holder from January 20, 2021, until now.
• Automatically end Temporary Protected Status for any national if the Secretary of Homeland Security determines their homeland is safe enough to return to, or the group receiving TPS has a crime rate above a certain threshold.

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