Acted Negatively for Reduce Chain Migration

Acted Negatively for Reduce Visa Lottery

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas

Took Strong Positive Action for Refugees & Asylees

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Amnesty Enticements

Acted Negatively for End Birthright Citizenship

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards

Took Strong Positive Action for Strengthen Border Security

Took Strong Positive Action for Strengthen Interior Enforcement

2020: Voted against H.R. 2214 to preserve the presidents authority on immigration Rep. Gooden 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 a pause of most guest worker programs Rep. Gooden signed a letter sent to Pres. Trump, urging him to pause most guest worker programs until the 40 million Americans who filed for unemployment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic could get back to work.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3864, the End Child Trafficking Now Act, to discourage border surges of family units Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 3864, the End Child Trafficking Now Act, introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas). The legislation would require DNA tests for all minors who cross the border illegally unless documentary evidence of familial relationships is presented. It would also make recycling children for use in crossing the border illegally a crime.

2020: Voted against H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on House floor Sen. Gooden voted against H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that would weaken interior enforcement and increase foreign worker visas. The bill reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $431 million. Further, the bill authorized the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to increase the number of H-2B visas issued during the 2021 fiscal year.

2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Gooden 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. Gooden 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. Gooden 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. Gooden 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 586, the Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 586, the Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act. This legislation would reform the Wilberforce trafficking act, so Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) from non-contiguous countries are treated that same as those from contiguous countries. However, the bill would not require prosecution of illegal sponsors of UACs. It would also limit the release of minors to parents or legal guardians and would fix the Flores Settlement Agreement by allowing families to be detained for longer than 20 days. Further, it would strike Special Immigrant Juvenile status for individuals who can be reunified with any one parent or legal guardian. It would also provide asylum fixes, including credible fear, striking safe third agreement requirements, and adding asylum fraud penalties.

2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Gooden 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. Gooden 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. Gooden 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 586, the Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act, introduced by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 586, the Fix the Immigration Loopholes Act. This legislation would reform the Wilberforce trafficking act, so Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) from non-contiguous countries are treated that same as those from contiguous countries. However, the bill would not require prosecution of illegal sponsors of UACs. It would also limit the release of minors to parents or legal guardians and would fix the Flores Settlement Agreement by allowing families to be detained for longer than 20 days. Further, it would strike Special Immigrant Juvenile status for individuals who can be reunified with any one parent or legal guardian. It would also provide asylum fixes, including credible fear, striking safe third agreement requirements, and adding asylum fraud penalties.

2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Gooden 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.

2020: Voted in favor of Motion to Recommit H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to block stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Gooden 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. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to preserve border security Rep. Gooden 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. 3056 to strengthen border security and interior enforcement Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 3056, the Border Crisis Supplemental Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), that would provide additional funding for Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Health and Human Services to address the 2019 border surge.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 714, the El CHAPO Act, introduced by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), to strengthen border security Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 714, the El CHAPO Act of 2019. This legislation would require the forfeited profits of El Chapo from his illicit drug trafficking enterprise to be reserved for border security measures between the United States and Mexico, including the completion of a wall.

2020: Voted against H.R 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on House floor Sen. Gooden voted against H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, that would weaken interior enforcement and increase foreign worker visas. The bill reduced funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement by $431 million. Further, the bill authorized the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor to increase the number of H-2B visas issued during the 2021 fiscal year.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2988 to end sanctuary cities Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 2988, the Protecting American Lives Act, introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), that would restrict federal funding to sanctuary cities. Further, the bill would provide immunity for officers who cooperate with federal immigration officers and boost penalties for illegal re-entry.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3056 to strengthen border security and interior enforcement Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 3056, the Border Crisis Supplemental Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), that would provide additional funding for Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Health and Human Services to address the 2019 border surge.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3964, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, to assist victims of criminal alien crime Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 3964, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.). The legislation would establish a civil action for harm cause by an alien who benefited from sanctuary policies. The bill would also provide immunity to local law enforcement who honor an ICE detainer request.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3000 to end sanctuary cities Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 3000, the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), that would withhold funding from sanctuary cities. The bill would also provide immunity to local police officers who cooperate with federal immigration officers.

2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Gooden 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 in favor of H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Gooden voted in favor of 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. Gooden 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. Gooden 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: Cosponsored H.R. 1399, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, to mandate E-Verify Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 1399, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, introduced by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.). This legislation would permanently reauthorize E-Verify and require all employers to use the system for all new hires within 1 year. Further, it would require businesses to run existing employees through E-Verify, increase fines for businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens, and require cooperation between the Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of Labor to reduce identity theft.

2019: Voted against the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Gooden 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.