2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Gooden 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.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 865 to end the Visa Lottery Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 865, introduced by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.). The legislation would eliminate the Visa Lottery that issues 55,000 green cards each year to foreign nationals from countries underrepresented in other green card categories. The bill would also reform the H-1B visa program, requiring employers to offer a salary of at least $110,000.

2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Gooden 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.

2021: Voted Against H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Gooden 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: Sponsored H.R. 865 to reform the H-1B visa program Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 865, introduced by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.). The legislation would eliminate the Visa Lottery that issues 55,000 green cards each year to foreign nationals from countries underrepresented in other green card categories. The bill would also reform the H-1B visa program, requiring employers to offer a salary of at least $110,000.

2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Gooden 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. Gooden 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.

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.

2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). The legislation would significantly reduce asylum fraud by strengthening the credible fear standard to ensure that only those who are more than likely to be awarded asylum by an immigration judge are allowed to continue with the asylum process. Further, it would prohibit individuals who cross the border illegally from claiming asylum and prevent asylum seekers from receiving a work permit for one year after entry.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 597 to close several asylum loopholes
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 597, the Stop the Cartels Act, introduced by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). The legislation would fix the current credible fear standards for asylum and prevent felons, most inadmissible aliens, previous deportees, and habitual residents of Central America, where there are refugee processing centers, from asylum.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 5572 to reduce overall Refugee admissions Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 5572, the SECURE America Act, introduced by Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.). The legislation would allow for Congressional approval for setting the refugee cap, which they would likely set at the Refugee Acts baseline of 50,000 for years where they passed an approval.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1901 to close asylum loopholes Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 1901, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). The bill would close asylum loopholes, including 1) to allow UACs from noncontiguous countries to be returned to their home country, 2) fix the Flores Settlement Agreement, 3) strengthens the credible fear standard, 4) eliminates the safe third-country requirements for returning asylum-seekers, 5) limits asylum claims to ports of entry only, along with other asylum fixes.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7725 to block asylum for individuals who pass though a safe third country Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 7725 introduced by Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.). The legislation would prevent the granting of asylum to individuals who passed through a safe third country on their way to the United States. The legislation would likely stop 75% of asylum claims.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 398, the No Asylum for Criminals Act, to reduce asylum fraud Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 398, introduced by Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.). The legislation would bar foreign nationals with criminal records from claiming asylum.

2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Gooden 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.

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.

2024: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to hold the federal government accountable for immigration parole abuse
Rep. Gooden voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its abuse of parole for apprehended illegal aliens.

2024: Co-sponsored H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to make the federal government accountable for immigration parole abuse
Rep. Gooden co-sponsored H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its abuse of parole of apprehended illegal aliens.

2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). The legislation would reduce amnesty by strictly limiting the situations under which an administration can grant parole to illegal aliens.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1901 to reduce amnesty enticements by closing asylum loopholes Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 1901, the Stopping Border Surges Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). The bill would close asylum loopholes, including 1) to allow UACs from noncontiguous countries to be returned to their home country, 2) fix the Flores Settlement Agreement, 3) strengthens the credible fear standard, 4) eliminates the safe third-country requirements for returning asylum-seekers, 5) limits asylum claims to ports of entry only, along with other asylum fixes.

2021: Voted Against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Gooden 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. Gooden 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. Gooden 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.

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.

2023: Voted for H.J.Res. 24 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in the District of Columbia
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.J. Res. 24, introduced by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.). The joint resolution would officially disapprove the the District of Columbia's Council amendment that allows illegal aliens to vote in local elections. The resolution passed the House 260-162.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 5854 to block payments to illegal aliens Rep. Gooden 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.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 6621 to funding for government provided attorneys to illegal aliens Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 6621, the No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Immigrants Act. introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.). The legislation would block the use of state, federal, and local funds from being used to provide legal representation for aliens in removal proceedings.

2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Gooden 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.

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.

2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to strengthen border security
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). The legislation would require DHS to restart border wall construction that has been authorized for and paid for by Congress and strengthen the Secure Fence Act of 2006 by requiring physical barriers along 900 miles of border. The legislation also provides retention bonuses for Border Patrol agents and defunds efforts to resettle illegal border crossers across the country.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 29 to require DHS to detain illegal border crossers
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 29, the Border Safety and Security Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The legislation would allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of inadmissible aliens at the border if needed to obtain operational control of the border. In addition, the Secretary would be required to suspend the entry of inadmissible aliens during any period in which the Secretary cannot detain asylum seeking illegal aliens or place them into a program similar to the Migration Protection Protocols.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 989 to require completion of the border wall
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 989, the Build the Wall Now Act, introduced by Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.). The legislation would require immediate resumption of border wall construction and make it easier for the federal government to acquire land for building border barriers.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 597 to overhaul the Flores Settlement Agreement
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 597, the Stop the Cartels Act, introduced by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). The legislation would overhaul the Flores Settlement Agreement closing a major border security loophole.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 5399 to grant Border Patrol access to federal lands Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 5399, the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas). The legislation would allow Border Patrol to access federal lands along the Southern border.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 3130 to provide funding to states for border security efforts Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 3130, the Operation Stonegarden Authorization Act, introduced by Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.). The legislation would authorize Operation Stonegarden which provides federal money to states to use for border security efforts.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1707 to build additional border roads Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 1707, the Border Visibility and Security Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The bill would allow for the construction of border roads along the Southern border.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 2729 to strengthen border security Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 2729, the Finish the Wall Act, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.). The legislation would require the immediate resumption of border wall construction and require DNA fingerprint data collection at all CBP facilities that process adults.

2022: Sponsored H.J.Res. 82 to disapprove of lax asylum rule Rep. Gooden sponsored H.J.Res. 82 introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). The Joint Resolution would provide Congressional disapproval to the Biden Administrations proposed rule to have USCIS asylum officers make final asylum determinations at the border instead of an immigration judge. Should it go into effect, the likely result would be a significant increase in approved fraudulent asylum cases.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 1626 to reimburse states for helping with border security efforts Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 1626, the State Border Security Reimbursement Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas). The legislation would reimburse states up to $2.5 billion for state-level efforts to secure the border.

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.

2023: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to increase interior enforcement
Rep. Gooden voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its non-enforcement of immigration laws.  The legislation also mandates the detention of illegal aliens for selected crimes.  The legislation passed the House, 251-170.

2024: Voted in favor of H.R. 5717, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act

Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 5717, the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced by Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY). The legislation bars localities that ignore ICE immigration detainer requests from receiving federal funds that are intended to benefit illegal aliens.

2024: Coponsored H.R. 7580 to strengthen overall interior enforcement 

Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 7580, the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, introduced by Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.). The legislation would strengthen interior enforcement by reaffirming DHS authority to issue detainers for all aliens it has reason to believe are removable and prioritizing support for local jurisdictions that cooperate with immigration enforcement.

2024: Co-sponsored H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to increase interior enforcement
Rep. Gooden co-sponsored H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA). The legislation would give legal standing to states to sue the federal government over its non-enforcement of immigration laws.  The legislation also mandates the detention of illegal aliens for selected crimes.

2023: Voted in favor or H.R. 2494 to strengthen interior enforcement
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.). The legislation would make attacking a law enforcement officer a deportable offense.

2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to mandate E-Verify and criminalize visa overstays
Rep. Gooden voted in favor of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.). The legislation would require most employers to use E-Verify within two years to ensure that new hires are authorized to work in the United States. The legislation provides additional time for agricultural employers to comply. The bill would also make overstaying a visa a felony crime and allow Unaccompanied Alien Children from noncontiguous countries to be returned to their home countries.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 2436 to reduce visa overstays
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 2436, the Visa Overstays Penalties Act, introduced by Rep. Nathanial Moran (R-Texas). The legislation would increases the civil penalty for illegal entry and attempts to enter illegally from between $50 and $250 to between $500 and $1000; and applies the same civil and criminal penalties for illegal entry to temporary nonimmigrants who overstay their visa. Currently visa overstays are not subject to such penalties.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 1394 to expand expedited removal
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 1394, the American SAFER Act, introduced by Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas). The legislation would expand expedited removal by allowing removal from anywhere in the country.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 597 to block funding for sanctuary jurisdictions
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 597, the Stop the Cartels Act, introduced by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). The legislation would end federal financial assistance for sanctuary jurisdictions, including those restricting detainment compliance. Jurisdictions’ sanctuary status would be determined yearly.

2021: Sponsored H.R. 5759 to add certain sex crimes to list of deportable offenses 

Rep. Gooden 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.

2021: Cosponsored H.R. 506 to strengthen overall interior enforcement 

Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.R. 506, the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, introduced by Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.). The legislation would strengthen interior enforcement by reaffirming DHS authority to issue detainers for all aliens it has reason to believe are removable and prioritizing support for local jurisdictions that cooperate with immigration enforcement.

2021: Sponsored S. 71 to require employers to use E-Verify Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 2298, the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, introduced by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.). The legislation would require all businesses to use E-Verify within one year for both new hires and existing employees. Further, the legislation would require information sharing between the relevant agencies to eliminate fraud.

2021: Voted Against H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Gooden 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. Gooden 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.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 7983 to reduce Child Smuggling at the Border Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 7983 introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas). The legislation would require the collection of biometric data at the border and require background checks for all sponsors of Unaccompanied Alien Children with the requirement that those without lawful immigration status will get referred to DHS for removal proceedings.

2022: Sponsored H.R. 9470 to expand expedited removal Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 9470 introduced by Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas). The legislation would expand expedited removal to cover illegal aliens across the country, not just within the border region.

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.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 661 to require detention of illegal aliens charged with serious crimes
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 661, Sarah's Law, introduced by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa). The legislation would require the detention of illegal aliens who have been charged with a crime that results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 672 to tax remittances
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 672, the Border Security Investment Act, introduced by Rep. Nathanial Moran (R-Texas). The legislation would tax all remittances to the top 5 home countries from which illegal aliens arrived in the previous year. The funds would be used to create a state reimbursement and border security trust fund for states that assist in the enforcement of illegal immigration and border security.

2023: Sponsored H.R. 552 to defund U.N. mass immigration efforts
Rep. Gooden sponsored H.R. 552, the No Tax Dollars for the United Nation's Immigration Invasion Act, introduced by Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas). The legislation would defund several agencies within the United Nations that encourage mass immigration to the U.S., including the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

2023: Sponsored H.Res. 8 to impeach DHS Sec. Mayorkas
Rep. Gooden cosponsored H.Res. 8 introduced by Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas). Passage of the resolution would impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his mishandling of the 2021-23 border crisis.