68%
B-
Challenge Status Quo
117th Congress (2021-2022) Challenge Status Quo
C+ (65%)
116th Congress (2019-2020) Challenge Status Quo
C (53%)
2020: Voted against H.R. 2214 to preserve the presidents authority on immigration Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), that would significantly limit executive authority from being used to prevent future border surges. The bill would restrict the use of 1182(f) that allows the President to suspend immigration for national security reasons and nullify Pres. Trumps executive orders aimed at preventing border surges.
2020: Signed letter to Pres. Trump during Covid-19 pandemic, urging continuance of the H-2b guest worker program Rep. Zeldin signed a letter sent to Pres. Trump, urging him to continue the H-2B lower-skilled guest worker program despite 40 million Americans filing for unemployment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 384, the Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2019, to strengthen enforcement Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 384, the Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). This legislation would increase penalties for the illegal reentry of removed aliens.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Challenge Status Quo
B+ (82%)
2017: Cosponsored legislation to deport and prevent entry to potential terrorists Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 844, the Terrorist Deportation Act of 2017. This legislation would make aliens identified on the terror screening database inadmissible and place non-LPR aliens in expedited removal proceedings if on the terror watch list. The bill allows the removal/inadmissibility to be waived with unanimous concurrence of the Secretary of DHS, Attorney General, FBI Director, Director of National Intelligence, and Secretary of State. The bill would also remove asylum, withholding/cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, adjustment of status, and torture protection from terror watch list aliens and make them ineligible for any relief. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to strengthen interior enforcement (King) Rep. Zeldin has cosponsored H.R. 361, Kates Law. The bill would increase the penalties for repeat illegal border crossers or illegal aliens who pose a serious criminal threat to local communities. The bill was introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).
114th Congress (2015-2016) Challenge Status Quo
B- (70%)
2015: Cosponsored legislation to end sanctuary cities (Poe) Rep. Zeldin has cosponsored H.R. 4032, the States Right of Refugee Refusal Act of 2015. The legislation would prevent the federal government from resettling refugees in states where the government has formally disapproved of resettlement. The bill was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas).
2015: Cosponsoring legislation to deter illegal immigration Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 3011, the Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2015 (Kates Law) would impose mandatory minimum sentencing on illegal aliens who illegally re-enter the country after being removed.
None
100%
A+
Reduce Chain Migration
117th Congress (2021-2022) Reduce Chain Migration
A+ (100%)
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Reduce Chain Migration
no action
115th Congress (2017-2018) Reduce Chain Migration
A+ (100%)
2018: Voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), to end chain migration Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. H.R. 4760 would have ended chain migration and the visa lottery, reducing legal immigration by approximately 300,000 per year. The legislation would have also strengthened border security, closed loopholes that lead to asylum fraud, mandated E-Verify, and ended sanctuary cities. The legislation also would have granted amnesty to approximately 700,000 DACA recipients.
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to end Chain Migration Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. This legislation would end Chain Migration by eliminating all adult family categories. The bill would provide a renewable, nonimmigrant visa for parents of U.S. citizens. These provisions would reduce annual legal immigration by more than 250,000 per year.
114th Congress (2015-2016) Reduce Chain Migration
no action
100%
A+
Reduce Visa Lottery
117th Congress (2021-2022) Reduce Visa Lottery
A (94%)
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Reduce Visa Lottery
no action
115th Congress (2017-2018) Reduce Visa Lottery
no action
114th Congress (2015-2016) Reduce Visa Lottery
A+ (100%)
2015: Cosponsored legislation to end the visa lottery (Posey) Rep. Zeldin is a cosponsor of H.R. 2278, legislation to end the visa lottery. H.R. 2278 would eliminate the visa lottery. This is a program that each year gives another 50,000 green cards to people without any regard to their humanitarian need or to what they might offer the country or to their having any family connections in the United States. It is a program that promotes massive illegal migration by people who think they may some day win the lottery and be allowed to stay in the United States. The bi-partisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform under the leadership of the late Barbara Jordan recommended eliminating the visa lottery. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.).
82%
B+
Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
117th Congress (2021-2022) Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
A+ (100%)
2021: Voted Against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would expand the unlimited agricultural guest worker program to include jobs in dairy, meat processing, fish canneries, and more.
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.
2022: Voted against H.R. 2471 to block increases in H-2B and EB-5 visas Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.). The legislation authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to double the number of H-2B low-skill, non-agricultural visas for FY2022. Further, the legislation reauthorizes the EB-5 investor visa program. The legislation was signed into law.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
A+ (100%)
2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would automatically renew all nonimmigrant work permits that would have expired during the Covid-19 national emergency for a length of time equal to original visa. Further, it would also fast-track the admission of foreign health care workers and increase the number of green cards issued each year for the next 3 years by 4,000 for the importation of foreign doctors and nurses.
2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled legal immigration Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.
2019: Voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent H-2B increases Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, that provides funding for the federal government for FY2020. H.R. 1865 included a provision that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020. Under the same provision, DHS added an additional 30,000 H-2Bs in FY 2019.
2019: Voted against the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Zeldin voted against H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill allows for the Secretary of Homeland Security to increase the number of H-2B guest worker visas issued in FY2019.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
A- (88%)
2017: Voted in favor of increasing foreign worker visas Rep.Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 244, the 2017 omnibus spending bill. A provision of the bill allows DHS to raise the H-2B cap by 70,000 in 2017 by excluding returning H-2B workers. The spending bill, and the H-2B provision, covers half of 2017.
2017: Cosponsored the Davis-Oliver Act to reduce unnecessary foreign workers (Labrador) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 2431, the Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in previous Congresses. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Id.).
114th Congress (2015-2016) Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
C- (41%)
2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Spending bill for 2016. This legislation would increase the number of H-2B low-skilled, non-agricultural guest worker visas issued in 2016 from 66,000 to 264,000. The legislation would exempt foreign workers who had received an H-2B visa in any of the past three years from the 2016 cap.
2015: Voted against granting the President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)‚ Rep. Zeldin voted in favor against final passage of Trade Promotion Authority bill, H.R. 2146‚ (NOTE: in order to pass TPA the House of Representatives split the original bill Senate-passed bill H.R. 1314 into two bills, one dealing with Trade Promotion Authority and one dealing with the TransPacific Partnership. As a result, when the legislation came back to the Senate for a final vote, the Senate had to attach the TPA language to another House-originated bill, H.R. 2146 and vote to pass that legislation). This legislation sets up fast-track procedures for the passage of trade deals negotiated by the president. Although Ambassador Froman, the U.S. Trade Representative, repeatedly assured Members of Congress that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not include immigration provisions that require the United States to change its laws, the Living Agreement provision of TPP means by its very terms that President Obama, or his successor, can change the provisions of the agreement however he chooses with no input whatsoever from Congress and regardless of what TPA instructs‚ H.R. 2146 passed the House by a vote of 218-208.
48%
C
Refugees & Asylees
117th Congress (2021-2022) Refugees & Asylees
F (6%)
2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 3985, the Allies Act, introduced by Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.). The legislation would reduce the threshold to participate in the Afghan SIV program, significantly increase the eligible pool beyond those who participated in sensitive and trusted activities, and increase the principle alien cap by 8,000.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Refugees & Asylees
F- (0%)
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4695, the PACT Act, to increase asylum fraud Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4695, the PACT Act, introduced by Rep. Elliot Engel (D-N.Y.). The legislation would make Syrian Kurds a priority for refugee resettlement, encouraging them to commit asylum fraud.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Refugees & Asylees
A+ (100%)
2018: Voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), to close asylum loopholes Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. H.R. 4760 would have ended chain migration and the visa lottery, reducing legal immigration by approximately 300,000 per year. The legislation would have also strengthened border security, closed loopholes that lead to asylum fraud, mandated E-Verify, and ended sanctuary cities. The legislation also would have granted amnesty to approximately 700,000 DACA recipients.
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to reduce Asylum fraud Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. This legislation would reduce asylum fraud by reforming the processing of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) detained at the border.
2017: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 391, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2017, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to reform Americas refugee and asylum system (Babin) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 80, the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2017. This legislation would immediately suspend all refugee resettlement until the Government Accountability Office can assess its costs to state and local municipalities and potential national security threats.
114th Congress (2015-2016) Refugees & Asylees
A (94%)
2015: Cosponsored legislation to reduce refugee resettlement (McCaul) Rep. Zeldin has cosponsored H.R. 3573, the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act of 2015, that would require Congress to pass a joint resolution each year approving the number of refugees resettled in the United States each year. This would likely reduce the resettlement of refugees into the United States by requiring greater Congressional oversight. The bill was introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
2015: Cosponsored legislation to Halt Syrian Refugee Resettlement (Ross) Rep. Zeldin has cosponsored H.R. 4025. This legislation would halt refugee resettlement of foreign nationals from Syria or whose last known residence was Syria. Resettlement would not restart until Congress passed a joint resolution. The bill was introduced by Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.).
2015: Cosponsored legislation to Halt Syrian Refugee Resettlement (Byrne) Rep. Zeldin has cosponsored H.R. 4031, the Defund the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program Act of 2015. This legislation would halt refugee resettlement of foreign nationals from Syria or whose last known residence was Syria. The bill was introduced by Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.).
2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 2029, the Omnibus Spending bill for 2016. This legislation would fully fund the refugee resettlement program and include increases in funding to accommodate Pres. Obamas proposal to resettle an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States in 2016.
2015: Cosponsored legislation to reform Americas refugee and asylum system Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 3314, the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act of 2015. This legislation would immediately suspend all refugee resettlement until the Government Accountability Office can assess its costs to state and local municipalities and potential national security threats.
2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.
100%
A+
Reduce Amnesty Enticements
117th Congress (2021-2022) Reduce Amnesty Enticements
A+ (100%)
2021: Voted Against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 2.9 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country under the age of 19 and to another 320,000 illegal aliens who have been granted Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure. The bill contains no immigration offsets or enforcement provisions to deter future illegal immigration.
2021: Voted Against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would grant amnesty to more than 1 million illegal farm workers, allowing them to apply for permanent status upon working a certain number of hours in agriculture in future years.
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Reduce Amnesty Enticements
A+ (100%)
2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have granted deferred action and work authorization to approximately 2 million illegal aliens currently working in occupations that are considered to be critical infrastructure work.
2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.
2019: Voted against H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 4 million illegal aliens. The legislation included the Dream Act, which would have allowed 3.2 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country before their 18th birthday and meet certain other requirements to receive amnesty. The legislation also included an amnesty for at least 430,000 foreign citizens (mostly illegal aliens) from countries that have been given Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Reduce Amnesty Enticements
A+ (100%)
2017: Cosponsored the Davis-Oliver Act to reduce amnesties (Labrador) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 2431, the Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in previous Congresses. This legislation would require Congressional approval to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Through TPS, an estimated 150,000 illegal aliens over 10 years would not receive amnesty under the legislation. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Id.).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 391, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2017, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
114th Congress (2015-2016) Reduce Amnesty Enticements
A+ (100%)
2016: Voted for King amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of Rep. Steve Kings amendment to the FY17 Defense Appropriations bill. The King amendment would have prohibited funds from being used by the Department of Defense to enlist DACA recipients into the military. The amendment failed 207-214.
2016: Voted in favor of the Gosar amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Zeldin voted for Rep. Paul Gosars amendment to the FY17 Defense Appropriations bill. The Gosar amendment would have prohibited funds from being used by the Department of Defense to enlist DACA recipients into the military through the MAVNI program. The amendment failed 210-211.
2015: Voted in favor of Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of an amendment by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) to strip an amnesty provision from the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735). The provision stripped by the Brooks Amendment would have encouraged the Secretary of Defense to waive military enlistment requirements for illegal aliens who received amnesty through Pres. Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Brooks Amendment passed 221-to-202.
2015: Voted AGAINST funding Executive Amnesties by opposing clean DHS Appropriations bill, H.R. 240 Rep. Zeldin voted against final passage of H.R. 240, the DHS funding bill passed by the Senate which did not include riders to stop President Obamas unconstitutional Executive Amnesties. Although the House had originally passed H.R. 240 with these riders, the Senate stripped them out, thus fully funding the Executive Amnesties through September 2015. When the House voted on the bill as returned from the Senate, Sen. Zeldin firmly opposed Executive Amnesty by voting against final passage (and consequently for a temporary shut down of DHS). Funding the Presidents illegal amnesties not only made Congress complicit in the Presidents lawless behavior, it also undermined the lawsuit filed by 26 states to stop implementation of the amnesties. If Congress is unwilling to fight to protect its own legislative powers, why should the courts fight on Congresss behalf? The bill passed by a vote of 257-167.
2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.
2015: Voted in favor of Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas Nov. 2014 amnesty Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of the Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Aderholt Amendment would defund implementation of all Obama and DHS November 2014 memoranda; defund 4 of the 5 Morton Memos that deal with prosecutorial discretion and detail who ICE agents can and cant deport; and prohibit federal benefits from being given to any illegal alien covered by the November memoranda. The Aderholt Amendment passed by a vote of 237-190.
2015: Voted in favor of Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas DACA amnesty Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of the Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2015. The Blackburn Amendment would defund the processing of applications and renewals of President Obamas 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, thus making it impossible for DACA recipients to continue to receive legal status. The Blackburn Amendment passed by a vote of 218-209.
No Action
Limit Birthright Citizenship
117th Congress (2021-2022) Limit Birthright Citizenship
no action
116th Congress (2019-2020) Limit Birthright Citizenship
no action
115th Congress (2017-2018) Limit Birthright Citizenship
no action
114th Congress (2015-2016) Limit Birthright Citizenship
no action
100%
A+
Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
117th Congress (2021-2022) Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
no action
2021: Sponsored H.R. 5854 to block payments to illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin sponsored H.R. 5854, the Illegal Immigrant Payoff Prohibition Act, introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.). The legislation would block payments to illegal aliens who file a civil action lawsuit.
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. The legislation would grant work permits and legal status, called parole, to an estimated 7.9 million illegal aliens. Further, the bill would add an additional 1 million green cards above annual numerical limits.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
A (94%)
2020: Voted in favor of Motion to Recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to block stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of a motion to recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act. The motion would remove a provision in the legislation that would allow illegal aliens to retroactively receive the $1,200 stimulus checks that were issued to citizens and legal permanent residents in the CARES Act during the Covid-19 national emergency.
2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have allowed illegal aliens to receive economic stimulus checks and required most illegal aliens in detention to be released unless their detention was required by law.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
A (94%)
2018: Voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), to end sanctuary cities Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. H.R. 4760 would have ended chain migration and the visa lottery, reducing legal immigration by approximately 300,000 per year. The legislation would have also strengthened border security, closed loopholes that lead to asylum fraud, mandated E-Verify, and ended sanctuary cities. The legislation also would have granted amnesty to approximately 700,000 DACA recipients.
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to end rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. This legislation would block illegal aliens from receiving refundable tax credits.
2017: Voted in favor of legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary cities Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. This legislation expands the definition of sanctuary cities and withholds DOJ and DHS grants from them, clarifies the authority of ICE detainers and grants State and local law enforcement immunity for complying with detainer requests, and expands the authority of the Secretary of DHS to detain certain criminal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
2017: Voted in favor of legislation to prevent illegal aliens receiving health insurance subsidies Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 2581, the Verify First Act. This legislation would require the Social Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security to verify that every applicant for a healthcare exchange credit is a citizen or eligible alien before the Treasury Department could issue the tax credit. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.).
2017: Cosponsored the Davis-Oliver Act to reduce rewards to illegal aliens (Labrador) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 2431, the Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in previous Congresses. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Id.).
114th Congress (2015-2016) Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
A (94%)
2015: Cosponsoring H.R. 1148 to reduce rewards for illegal aliens Rep. Zeldin is cosponsoring H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC). This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. The legislation would prevent cities from providing sanctuary to illegal aliens and would provide funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that reimburses states for incarcerating illegal aliens. The legislation would help reduce rewards for illegal immigration by preventing cities from providing a safe harbor for illegal aliens.
100%
A+
Strengthen Border Security
117th Congress (2021-2022) Strengthen Border Security
no action
116th Congress (2019-2020) Strengthen Border Security
A (94%)
2020: Voted against H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to preserve border security Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The legislation would require adequate time to access counsel for all aliens referred for secondary inspection at ports of entry. In doing so, it would slow down processing at ports of entry and redirect resources that could otherwise be used for border security.
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 546, the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019, to strengthen border security Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 546, the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.). This legislation would create a bond program for funding additional border barriers along the Southern border.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Strengthen Border Security
A (94%)
2018: Voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), to strengthen border security Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. H.R. 4760 would have ended chain migration and the visa lottery, reducing legal immigration by approximately 300,000 per year. The legislation would have also strengthened border security, closed loopholes that lead to asylum fraud, mandated E-Verify, and ended sanctuary cities. The legislation also would have granted amnesty to approximately 700,000 DACA recipients.
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to strengthen border security Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. This legislation would strengthen border security by granting Border Patrol officers access to federal lands. The bill would also authorize funding for the hiring of additional Border Patrol officers and the construction of border fencing.
2017: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 391, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2017, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
114th Congress (2015-2016) Strengthen Border Security
A (94%)
2015: Cosponsored legislation to combat border surge (Chaffetz) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 1153, Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2015, which represents one of the most thorough responses to the surge of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) at the Southwest border. Aside from repealing the requirements that resulted in UACs from contiguous countries receiving differing treatment than those from noncontiguous countries, this bill requires immigration officers to order all illegal entrants removed upon screening, absent an asylum claim. In order to encourage cooperation with return, foreign countries who resist repatriation will face cuts to foreign assistance. The definition of UAC is also limited further to those who do not have a parent, legal guardian, sibling over 18, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin in the U.S. Further, the deadline before notification and transfer of UACs to Health and Human Services (HHS) is extended, and HHS is required to share details of the children and those with whom the children are placed with DHS. Additional judges and immigration attorneys are added in an attempt to address the current surge, while CBP is granted unimpeded access to Federal land, which includes the construction of tactical infrastructure. Finally, various changes are made to the asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, and parole systems to severely limit fraud and abuse, while protecting those with legitimate claims.
100%
A+
Strengthen Interior Enforcement
117th Congress (2021-2022) Strengthen Interior Enforcement
A (94%)
2022: Sponsored H.R. 6264 to make assaulting an officer a deportable offense Rep. Zeldin sponsored H.R. 6264, the POLICE Act, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.). The legislation would add the assaulting of a law enforcement officer to the list of deportable offenses.
2021: Voted Against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, introduced by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement for any illegal alien who could be eligible for the amnesty, regardless of whether the alien has applied or meets the qualifications. Further, it would block ICE access to amnesty applications that are denied.
2021: Voted Against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would halt enforcement efforts against any illegal alien who could qualify for the amnesties regardless if the alien has applied or not.
2021: Sponsored H.R. 5759 to add certain sex crimes to list of deportable offenses
Rep. Zeldin sponsored H.R. 5759, the Be GONE Act, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). The legislation would add sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence to the aggravated felony list.
116th Congress (2019-2020) Strengthen Interior Enforcement
A+ (100%)
2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.
2019: Voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent weakening interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that provides funding for the federal government for FY2020. H.R. 1158 effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).
2019: Voted against H.R. 3401, the border crisis supplemental funding bill that would have facilitated the continued trafficking of children along the Southern border Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 3401 on the House floor. The bill failed to include payroll funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are dealing with the ongoing border crisis. The bill also lacked funding for additional detention space and failed to address the root causes of the border surge, guaranteeing the need for future spending bills.
2019: Voted against H.R. 6 to oppose weakening enforcement on House floor Rep. Zeldin voted against H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 3.6 million illegal aliens. The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately to illegal aliens prima facia, meaning it suspends interior enforcement during the time the amnesty is being granted. The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.
2019: Voted against the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Zeldin voted against H.J.Res. 31, the omnibus spending bill. The bill reduces the funding for detention beds used by ICE to detain criminal aliens and recent illegal border crossers. It also provides protection from enforcement and removal for the illegal-alien sponsors and their families of unaccompanied alien children who cross the border illegally. Further, it prevents the hiring of any new ICE agents for Enforcement and Removal Operations.
115th Congress (2017-2018) Strengthen Interior Enforcement
A+ (100%)
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4996, the Protecting Our Communities from Gang Violence Act, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4996, the Protecting Our Communities from Gang Violence Act. This legislation would disqualify from admissibility criminal gang members and supporters for good moral character, prohibit them from filing for visas, and allow for their denaturalization.
2018: Voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), to mandate E-Verify Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. H.R. 4760 would have ended chain migration and the visa lottery, reducing legal immigration by approximately 300,000 per year. The legislation would have also strengthened border security, closed loopholes that lead to asylum fraud, mandated E-Verify, and ended sanctuary cities. The legislation also would have granted amnesty to approximately 700,000 DACA recipients.
2018: Cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) to mandate E-Verify and end sanctuary cities Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 4760, the Securing Americas Future Act. This legislation would require all employers to use E-Verify within 2 years. The bill would also require full implementation of the biometric entry-exit system at all ports of entry and strengthen existing law that prohibit sanctuary cities.
2017: Cosponsored the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act, introduced by Rep. Barbara Comstock, to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. This legislation would make non-citizens who are members of a criminal gang deportable even if they havent committed a crime. It would also make gang members inadmissible. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.).
2017: Voted in favor of legislation to withhold funds from sanctuary cities Rep. Zeldin voted in favor of H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. This legislation expands the definition of sanctuary cities and withholds DOJ and DHS grants from them, clarifies the authority of ICE detainers and grants State and local law enforcement immunity for complying with detainer requests, and expands the authority of the Secretary of DHS to detain certain criminal aliens. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to defund sanctuary cities (Goodlatte) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act. This legislation would withhold certain funds from sanctuary cities.
2017: Cosponsored the Davis-Oliver Act to increase interior enforcement (Labrador) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 2431, the Michael Davis, Jr. and Danny Oliver in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, in the House Judiciary Committee. This bill was known as the SAFE Act in previous Congresses. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Id.).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to end sanctuary cities in (Black) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 400, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. The bill would help end sanctuary policies that aim to protect criminal aliens by defining sanctuary jurisdictions as any state or local jurisdiction that fails to communicate with federal immigration agents and refuses to comply with detainer requests. The bill would also block certain federal funds from sanctuary cities and shield local police from liability when acting on behalf of a federal immigration request.
114th Congress (2015-2016) Strengthen Interior Enforcement
A+ (100%)
2015: Cosponsoring H.R. 1148 to increase interior enforcement Rep. Zeldin is cosponsoring H.R. 1148, the Michael Davis, Jr. in Honor of State and Local Law Enforcement Act, sponsored by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC). This bill was known as the SAFE Act in the previous Congress. This legislation would empower local law enforcement agents to enforce federal immigration laws. This legislation also requires DHS to create a national immigration violators database. This legislation would help reduce illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement officials and making it more difficult for illegal aliens to live and work in local communities.
2015: Cosponsored legislation to mandate E-Verify (Smith) Rep. Zeldin cosponsored H.R. 1147, the Legal Workforce Act of 2015. This legislation would require most employers to use E-Verify within two years of enactment. Large employers, federal, state, and local agencies and federal and state contractors would need to comply within six months. The bill would also make the E-Verify program permanent. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) is the bills main sponsor.