16%
D-
Reduce Chain Migration
64 out of 378 Total Points
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2017: Cosponsored the ESPERER Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, to increase chain migration Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 3526, the ESPERER Act of 2017. This legislation would grant amnesty to illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status, thereby allowing them to sponsor their extended family members for green cards. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.).
2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to increase chain migration (Kolbe)
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2330 to increase permanent, legal immigration by adding an extra 254,000 family-based visas annually. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was the primary sponsor.
100%
A+
Reduce Visa Lottery
115 out of 115 Total Points
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery in (Smith) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program and transfers the visas to STEM categories. The visa lottery prgram grants 55,000 visa annually on a random basis to new immigrants. The bills sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.). The legislation passed 245-139. (30 Nov. 2012, 11:39 AM).
2012: Voted in favor of legislation to end the visa lottery (Smith) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act of 2012. This bill cancels the visa lottery program, and transfers the 55,000 yearly visas that would have been granted through the visa lottery into two new priority categories (doctorate and masters degree) under 203(b). For the first two fiscal years of the program, unused visas for which petitions or applications for labor certification have been filed will be added to the total visas for the next fiscal year. Following the first two years, remaining unused visas do not transfer to the next fiscal year. Further, student visas are reformed by adding a new STEM-based F-Visa subsection. This allows for new F-Visa applicants who are pursuing a degree in a STEM category to apply without the previously necessary intent to retain their residence in their home country. The bill received a vote of 257-158, but failed to pass the House because a 2/3rds vote was required for passage. The legislations main sponsor is Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas).
4%
F-
Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas
97 out of 2044.5 Total Points
2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 4367 to expand the H-2 visa programs
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 4367, introduced by Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), during the committee markup. The legislation would provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security for FY2024. The legislation would allow the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, used to fill temporary and/or seasonal jobs, to be used for year round jobs. Further, the legislation would allow returning workers to be exempt from the annual cap of 66,000 for FY2024. The H-2B visa program is used to fill non-agricultural, temporary and/or seasonal jobs. The legislation, as introduced, expanded the H-2B visa program in perpetuity.
2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to increase guest workers Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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. Diaz-Balart 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 in favor of H.R. 2471 to increase H-2B and EB-5 visas Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Diaz-Balart 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 in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled immigration Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled illegal immigration Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored 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. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to increase H-2B visas Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 4916, 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 the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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.
2018: Voted in favor of the Goodlatte-Ryan-Denham Amnesty bill, H.R. 6136, that would have increased the number of green cards for foreign workers Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 6136, the Goodlatte-Ryan-Denham Amnesty bill. H.R. 6136 would have ended the Visa Lottery, but shifted the green cards to the employment-based green cards category. The bill would have increased the number of employment-based green cards issued each year from 140,000 to 205,000. The bill failed in the House 121-to-301. The bills main sponsor was Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
2018: Voted in favor of the Omnibus Spending Bill to increase H-2B visas Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the substitute amendment to H.R. 1625, the omnibus spending bill of 2018. The massive spending bill included a provision that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to double the number of H-2B visas in FY2018.
2017: Voted in favor of increasing foreign worker visas Rep.Diaz-Balart 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.
2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase foreign guest workers Rep. Diaz-Balart 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 to grant the President authority to expand immigration levels without Congress consent via Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)‚ Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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.
2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to drastically increase foreign-worker importation (Gutierrez).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 1645 to establish the H-2C guestworker program, through which 400,000 new workers (plus their spouses and minor children on an unlimited basis) may come to the United States annually. In addition, it would allow the annual cap on H-2C visas to be increased to as many as 600,000. These guestworkers would be allowed to stay up to six years, during which time they could petition for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status at any time. In addition to the H-2C provisions, the STRIVE Act would more than double the number of employment-based (EB) immigrant visas available annually; would exempt EB immigrants seeking admission to work in shortage occupations from numerical caps through fiscal year 2017; would vastly increase the cap on H-1B visas (i.e., a minimum cap of 115,000 per year); would create various permanent exemptions from numerical caps on admission for high skill aliens; would extend the authorized stay of L-1 intracompany transferee/specialized knowledge nonimmigrants (no cap on these visas) for whom applications for LPR status are pending. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) was the main sponsor of this bill.
2005-2006: Voted against an amendment to prohibit foreign-worker importation provisions in Free Trade Agreements.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 2862 to prevent the U.S. Trade Representative from including immigration provisions in Free Trade Agreements. The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 106 to 322.
2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to increase foreign-worker importation (Kolbe)
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 2330 to add an extra 150,000 employment-based visas (mostly for unskilled workers) each year. Additionally, it would create a brand new *guest* worker program that would bring in 400,000 unskilled workers the first year. Depending on how fast U.S. employers grabbed up those visas, the total could increase by anywhere from 10 to 20 percent each year thereafter.* Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was this bills primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to create a guestworker program (Kolbe).
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 2899, a bill to create a guestworker program for illegal aliens that would lead to amnesty. Rep. John Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was the primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Voted in favor of a bill to increase foreign-worker visas (DeLay).
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Chile Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2738, that would permit an unlimited number of tech and professional workers from Chile to enter the U.S. on L-1 visas. H.R. 2738, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 270-156.
2003-2004: Voted for a bill to create worker importation program (DeLay).
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted for the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739 that would permit an unlimited number of Singaporeans to enter the U.S. as temporary workers. H.R. 2739, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 272-155.
53%
C
Refugees & Asylees
22 out of 41.1 Total Points
2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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. 2 to reduce Asylum Fraud
Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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.
2021: Voted in favor of H.R. 3985 to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2015: Voted for the FY2016 Omnibus Spending bill to increase refugee resettlement Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2007: Voted against an amendment to reduce the time period of a countrys temporary protected status. Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Forbes amendment to HR 2638, which would prohibit funds pursuant to this bill from being used to extend the temporary protected status designation of a country. This amendment failed 123-298.
2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to grant amnesty to Liberian refugees (Kennedy).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored the Liberian Refugee Immigration Protection Act of 2007, a bill which would grant permanent lawful resident status to Liberian national aliens (including those present in the United States who have been ordered excluded, deported, removed, or ordered to depart voluntarily) who were eligible for Temporary Protected Status This bill was sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
None
2005-2006: Voted for amendment (Nadler) to strip asylum reforms (H.R. 418)
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Nadler Amendment to H.R. 418 to strip asylum reforms that would prevent terrorists from gaming our asylum system. The Nadler Amendment would have stripped provisions to ensure that our asylum system is consistent with our justice system in which the trier of fact is always allowed to use the credibility of the defendant and witnesses in deciding the case. The Nadler Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 185-236 on February 10, 2005 (1:55 PM).
2004: Voted against bill to reduce asylum fraud (Hastert)
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.
2004: Voted against reducing asylum fraud by voting in favor of amendment (Smith) to strip provision making it harder for terrorists to get asylum
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Smith Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 the asylum provision to make it harder for terrorists to receive asylum in the U.S. by no longer allowing aliens who allege they will be persecuted because of terrorist ties to automatically receive asylum based on that claim. The Smith Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), failed by a vote of 197-219.
2004: Voted against Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.
2004: Voted to reduce asylum fraud by voting against a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.
2004: Voted against amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to reduce asylum fraud by reaffirming that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence in certain cases. The Menendez Amendment, sponsred by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.
9%
F
Reduce Amnesty Enticements
1033 out of 10934 Total Points
2024: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to hold the federal government accountable for immigration parole abuse
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2023: Co-sponsored H.R. 2 to prevent amnesties for illegal border crossers
Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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 in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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: Sponsored H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty and increase guest workers Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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: Sponsored H.R. 161 to grant TPS to Venezuelan nationals Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored H.R. 161, introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.). The legislation would grant a temporary amnesty, in the form of temporary protected status, to approximately 130,000 illegal aliens from Venezuela.
2021: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2783 to grant amnesty to TPS and DED recipients Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2783, the TPS and DED Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), to grant amnesty to approximately 450,000 illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Enforced Departure.
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2413 to grant TPS status to Nicaraguans Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2413, the Nicaragua TPS Act, introduced by Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), that would grant amnesty in the form of Temporary Protected Status to any illegal aliens from Nicaragua on the day of enactment. Further, it would grant TPS status to any Nicaraguans not in the country, but successfully get to the United States before the date of enactment.
2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Diaz-Balart 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 in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored 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: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 4916, 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: Cosponsored H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. This legislation would grant Congressional TPS to Venezuelans.
2019: Voted for H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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.
2018: Voted in favor of the Goodlatte-Ryan-Denham Amnesty bill, H.R. 6136, that would granted amnesty to at least 1.8 million illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 6136, the Goodlatte-Ryan-Denham Amnesty bill. H.R. 6136 would have granted amnesty to at least 1.8 million illegal aliens who meet the conditions outlined in Pres. Obamas unconstitutional DACA executive amnesty. The bill would have also created a special merit-based green card system to provide green cards to amnestied illegal aliens. The bill failed in the House 121-to-301. The bills main sponsor was Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
2017: Cosponsored the ESPERER Act of 2017, introduced by Rep. Carlos Curbelo, to grant amnesty to TPS recipients Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 3526, the ESPERER Act of 2017. This legislation would grant amnesty to approximately 300,000 illegal aliens who have received Temporary Protected Status. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.).
2017: Cosponsored legislation to amnesty DREAMers (Curbelo) Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 1468, the Recognizing Americas Children Act. This legislation would grant legal status to illegal aliens who came to the U.S. as minors. The bills main sponsor is Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.).
2017: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service in (Denham) Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 60, the ENLIST Act. The ENLIST Act provides amnesty in the form of conditional legal permanent residence to aliens who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligible aliens must have been unlawfully present in the U.S. prior to 2012, continuously present in the U.S. since that date, younger than 15 upon initial entry, and otherwise eligible for enlistment. That conditional status is rescinded if the alien separates from the Armed Forces prior to completing the term of enlistment for anything other than honorable conditions. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).
2016: Voted against Gosar amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against 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. A vote against was a vote in favor of enlisting illegal aliens into the military. The amendment failed 210-211.
2016: Voted against King amendment to FY17 defense spending bill to block amnesty for DACA recipients Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against 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. A vote against was a vote in favor of enlisting illegal aliens into the military. The amendment failed 207-214.
2015: Voted against Brooks amendment to remove military amnesty from National Defense Authorization Act Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against 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: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 1989, the ENLIST Act. The ENLIST Act provides amnesty in the form of conditional legal permanent residence to aliens who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligible aliens must have been unlawfully present in the U.S. prior to 2012, continuously present in the U.S. since that date, younger than 15 upon initial entry, and otherwise eligible for enlistment. That conditional status is rescinded if the alien separates from the Armed Forces prior to completing the term of enlistment for anything other than honorable conditions. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).
2015: Voted in FAVOR OF funding Executive Amnesties by opposing clean DHS Appropriations bill, H.R. 240 Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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. Diaz-Balart supported Executive Amnesty by voting in favor of 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: Voted against Aderholt Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas Nov. 2014 amnesty Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against 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 against Blackburn Amendment to H.R. 240 to defund Pres. Obamas DACA amnesty Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against 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.
2014: Voted to lock in President Obamas executive Amnesty Rep. Diaz-Balart cast a crucial YES vote in helping Pres. Obama and Speaker Boehner pass the CRomnibus that appears to fully fund the Obama amnesty through the Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies through next September, while funding the Department of Homeland Security part of the amnesty for the next couple of months. Most Democrats voted to kill the spending bill (mainly over other issues in the legislation). The net effect, though, was that Pres. Obama got his amnesty affirmed and funded mainly by a Republican Party that made opposition to amnesty one of the three main planks in their campaigns to take over Congress this fall.
2014: Voted against legislation to end DACA (Blackburn) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against H.R. 5272, legislation introduced by Rep. Marsha Blackurn to defund DACA. The bill represents a serious effort to address the true cause of the current border crisis: President Obamas contempt for immigration law. The bills language prevents the Obama Administration from expanding the existing illegal DACA amnesty program by using the primary power the Constitution reserves for the House of Representatives, the power of the purse. It prohibits the use of federal funds or resources for any further deferred action or work authorization for illegal aliens. The bill passed 216-192-1 (1 August 2014).
2013-2014: Cosponsoring legislation to reward certain illegal aliens with amnesty in exchange for military service (Denham) Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 2377, the Enlist Act. The ENLIST Act provides amnesty in the form of conditional legal permanent residence to aliens who enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligible aliens must have been unlawfully present in the U.S. prior to 2012, continuously present in the U.S. since that date, younger than 15 upon initial entry, and otherwise eligible for enlistment. That conditional status is rescinded if the alien separates from the Armed Forces prior to completing the term of enlistment for anything other than honorable conditions. The bill’s main sponsor is Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).
2010: Voted for the DREAM Act amnesty, which would have rewarded illegal aliens with amnesty.
The DREAM Act would have granted amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 30 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came illegally to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Fortunately, the DREAM Act did not pass.
2009-2010: Cosponsored AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by granting amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2414, which encourages more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.
2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 1741, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2007. H.R. 1741 would grant amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 35 who have been in the United States for five consecutive years and came (illegally) to the United States before the age of 16. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsored the American Dream Act, which would have rewarded illegal immigrants with in-state tuition and legal status (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 1275, the American Dream Act. This bill would make illegal aliens eligible for in-state tuition and would allow DHS to grant illegal college students legal status. This bill would encourage illegal immigration and reward illegal immigrants, as well as harming legal students. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsoring AgJOBS, which grants amnesty to illegal aliens who work in the agricultural field (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 371, which encourages more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Gutierrez).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 1645 to grant amnesty to nearly all of the 12 million illegal aliens in the United States by one of several routes. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsored the Haitian Protection Act (Hastings).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 522, the Haitian Protection Act of 2007, a means by which the DHS may grant refugee status to aliens who would otherwise be prohibited from staying in the United States. This bill would encourage immigration fraud. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill that expands amnesty for Haitians (Meek).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 454, the HRIFA Improvement Act of 2007, which expands the scope of HRIFA (an amnesty from 1998). It does so by granting amnesty to children over 21 whose parents applied for their childrens amnesty when they were minors, by including document fraud among the grounds of inadmissibility which may be waived in granting amnesty to a Haitian national under HRIFA, and by allowing Haitians who were previously denied amnesty to file a motion to reopen their applications. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) is the measures main sponsor.
2006: Voted against an amendment that denies temporary amnesty for certain Central Americans.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The Tancredo Amendment would prohibit funds appropriated by H.R. 5441 from being used to administer extensions of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) amnesty for Guatemalans, Hondurans, or Nicaraguans. The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 134-284.
2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Davis)
H.R. 3364 is a bill to extend the massive NACARA amnesty for Nicaraguans and Cubans to up to 2.3 million illegal aliens from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) was the primary sponsor.
2005-2006: Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Kolbe)
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 2330 to reward virtually all illegal aliens (except those with criminal records or terrorist connections) with amnesty. This could potentially reward 9 million illegal aliens with amnesty. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was this bills primary sponsor.
2005-2006: Cosponsored AgJobs to grant amnesty to illegal aliens working in agriculture (Cannon).
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 884 to encourage more illegal immigration by rewarding certain illegal aliens who work in agriculture with amnesty. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Kolbe).
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 2899, a bill to create a legalization process for almost all illegal aliens who would then be eligible for green cards after 6 years. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) was the primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to grant amnesty to illegal aliens (Cannon).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 3142 to reward certain illegal aliens working in agriculture with amnesty. Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) was the primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Diaz-Balart).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2843, an amnesty for illegal aliens from Perus and Colombia. Amnesties have been shown to increase rates of illegal immigration. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Belart (R-Fla.) was the primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Cosponsored a bill to reward college-age illegal aliens with amnesty (Cannon).
H.R. 1684 was a defacto amnesty to grant legal status to certain college-age illegal aliens who would qualify to receive in-state tuition rates. An estimated 500,000 to 600,000 illegal aliens would have qualified for this amnesty. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).
No Action
End Birthright Citizenship
33%
D+
Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards
24 out of 71 Total Points
2023: Voted for H.J.Res. 24 to disapprove of illegal-alien voting in the District of Columbia
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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: Voted against H.R. 5376 to grant amnesty to illegal aliens and issue additional green cards Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2019: Cosponsored H.R. 4736, the Honest Elections Act, to prevent illegal-alien voting Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 4736, the Honest Elections Act, introduced by Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.). The legislation would block federal grants for jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote.
2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent stimulus checks for illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart 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. Diaz-Balart 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.
2014: Voted against the Gohmert amendment to prevent housing subsides for illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Gohmert amendment to H.R. 4745, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, of 2015. The amendment would have reduced funding to HUD for an amount equal to what has been spent in the past on Section 8 housing for illegal aliens. The amendment failed 160-266.
2009: Voted to allow consideration of verification amendments to the health care reform bill Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the rule to H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Despite high publicity about the big loopholes in the bill allowing illegal aliens to participate in many parts of the new federal health care plan, the Rules Committee brought a rule to the House floor that blocked a vote on any amendment giving the Members a chance to close the loopholes. NumbersUSA notified the Members of Congress that a vote FOR the closed rule would be graded as a vote to provide rewards and incentives for illegal immigration. In particular
2009-2010: Cosponsored AgJOBS, which rewards illegal immigration by giving illegal agricultural workers blue card status (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 2414 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status and later giving them and their families full residency. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.
2009-2010: Cosponsored the DREAM Act, which rewards illegal aliens with amnesty and in-state tuition (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 1741, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors [DREAM] Act of 2007. H.R. 1741 would grant illegal aliens permanent resident status and allow them to pay in-state tuition at Americas public colleges and universities. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2008: Voted against an amendment to prevent illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds.
Rep. Diaz-Balart vote against an amendment to H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008. This amendment would prevent illegal aliens from receiving Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds pursuant to this act. The amendment passed by a vote of 391-33.
2008: Voted for an amendment to restrict funding to businesses that hire illegal aliens.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of an amendment to HR 5819 that would prohibit SBIR or STTR awards from going to a small business concern if an unlawful alien has an ownership interest in that concern or in a concern that has interest in the small business. The amendment also prohibits SBIR and STTR awards from going to businesses that have repeatedly hired, recruited, or referred unlawful aliens. The amendment passed by a vote of 406-0, with 3 present.
2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to prohibit Social Security funds from being used to administer benefits accrued from work performed in Mexico.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Gingrey amendment to HR 3043, an amendment to prohibit the use of funds by the SSA to administer Social Security benefit payments, under any agreement between the United States and Mexico establishing totalization arrangements between the two countries. The amendment passed 254-168.
2007-2008: Cosponsored the American Dream Act, which would have rewarded illegal immigrants with in-state tuition and legal status (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 1275, the American Dream Act. This bill would make illegal aliens eligible for in-state tuition and would allow DHS to grant illegal college students legal status. This bill would encourage illegal immigration and reward illegal immigrants, as well as harming legal students. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) is the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Cosponsored a bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty (Berman).
Rep. Diaz-Balart is a cosponsor of H.R. 371 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) was the main sponsor of this bill.
2007-2008: Voted to allow illegal aliens to vote in union elections.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against a Motion to Recommit H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. The Motion to Recommit would have recommitted H.R. 800 to the Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the bill back to the House with an amendment that would require that all employees allowed to vote in union elections be citizens or legal residents of the United States. Although some Representatives voted against the Motion to Recommit because it would have delayed final passage of the bill, a vote in favor of the Motion to Recommit was clearly a vote in favor of interior enforcement and against allowing illegal aliens to vote in union elections. The Motion to Recommit failed by a vote of 202-225.
2005-2006: Voted against an amendment to aid states in conforming with minimum federally-mandated license standards.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Obey amendment to H.R. 2360 to provide $100 million to fund grants under the REAL ID Act to assist States in conforming with minimum drivers license standards. The Obey amendment passed by a vote of 226-198.
2005-2006: Cosponsored AgJobs to protect illegal aliens from prosecution (Cannon).
Rep. Diaz-Balart was a cosponsor of H.R. 884 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).
2005-2006: Voted in favor of the rule that incorporated the Managers Amendment to H.R. 418 to eliminate provisions for alternative licenses Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Rule that incorporated the Managers Amendment to H.R. 418 to strike both the section of the bill that explicitly recognizes states, ability to issue driving certificates that do not comply with the standards and the provision that permits the Department of Homeland Security to regulate such alternative licenses. The Managers Amendment passed by a vote of 228-198 on February 10 2005 (11:46 AM).
2005: Voted against H.R. 418 to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against legal presence requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers licenses. As well
2004: Voted against bill to prohibit drivers licenses for illegal aliens (Hastert)
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.
2004: Voted against Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 would have prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.
2004: Voted to prohibit drivers licenses for illegal aliens by voting against a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.
2004: Voted against amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions prohibiting issuance of drivers licenses for illegal aliens
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 a provision to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 prohibited the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and required that drivers licenses of temporary visa holders expire when their visa expires. As well, H.R. 10 contained provisions to prohibit the use of consular-issued ID cards. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.
2004: Voted for amendment (Oxley) allowing use of foreign ID cards in U.S.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Oxley Amendment to strip the Culberson Amendment from H.R. 5025. The Culberson Amendment would have prohibited the use of matricula consular ID cards. The Oxley Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Ohio), passed by a vote of 222-177.
2004: Voted against amendment (Hayworth) and in favor of rewarding illegal aliens with Social Security benefits.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Hayworth Amendment to H.R. 5006 that would have effectively prevented the U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement from taking effect, and, as a result, prevented Social Security payments to illegal aliens from Mexico. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. J. D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), failed by a vote of 178-225.
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill protecting illegal immigrants from prosecution (Cannon).
Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 3142 to reward illegal immigration by protecting illegal aliens granted temporary resident status from prosecution for Social Security fraud. Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) was the primary sponsor.
2003-2004: Voted against an amendment to fight the use of foreign IDs.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Hostettler Amendment to put some major restrictions on consular-issued ID cards that are frequently issued to illegal aliens by foreign governments. These cards make it easier for illegal aliens to gain government services and to otherwise profit from their illegal activity. The Hostettler, sponsored by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), Amendment passed by a vote of 226-198.
2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to grant amnesty to college-age illegal aliens (Cannon).
H.R. 1684 would have rewarded illegal immigration by adjusting the status of certain college-age illegal aliens to legal permanent resident for the purpose of receiving in-state college tuition rates. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah).
67%
B-
Strengthen Border Security
38 out of 56.5 Total Points
2023: Voted in favor of H.R. 2 to strengthen border security
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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. 2 to strengthen border security
Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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.
2020: Voted against H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to preserve border security Rep. Diaz-Balart 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.
2012: Voted against an amendment to hamstring border enforcement in 2012 (Grijalva) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Grijalva amendment to H.R. 2578, legislation to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This amendment would have stripped provisions that allow the Border Patrol to bypass regulations put in place by the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture on federal lands within 100 miles of the border. The amendments sponsor is Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and it failed 177-247 (19 June 2012).
2012: Supported an amendment to place cell towers on the border (Poe) Rep. Diaz-Balart supported the Poe Amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 302-113 (6 June 2012).
2011: Opposed an amendment to build cell phone towers along the U.S. - Mexico border (Poe) Rep. Diaz-Balart opposed the Poe Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would allocate funding for the building of cell phone towers along stretches of the U.S. - Mexico border so that Border Patrol agents and others in trouble can call law enforcement for assistance. The amendment passed by a vote of 327-93 (1 June 2011).
2009-2010: Supported an amendment to deter illegal immigration and drug smuggling by removing lookout posts for smugglers.
Rep. Diaz-Balart supported the King amendment (250) to H.R. 2892, the 2010 DHS appropriations bill. This amendment requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove the lookout posts constructed by drug smugglers, thereby making it more difficult for drug smugglers and reducing illegal immigration associated with illegal drug activity. This amendment passed 240-187-1.
2008: Has not Signed Discharge Petition to move H.R. 4088, a bill to increase border security Rep. Diaz-Balart has not signed the Discharge Petition on H.R. 4088, the SAVE Act, to increase border security. If the petition collects 218 signatures, a simple majority, the bill can bypass the committee process and be placed on the House floor for a vote.
2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to increase funding for the construction of a border fence.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Brown-Waite amendment to HR 2638. This amendment re-directs $89 million set to be appropriated to the Undersecretary for Managements account to the Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology Account, with a view towards constructing at least 700 miles of fencing along the southern border. The amendment was adopted 241-179.
2006: Voted for a bill to prevent border tunnels.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Protection Act of 2006 to penalize any person who constructs or uses a border tunnel. H.R. 4830 passed by a vote of 422 to 0.
2006: Voted against border fence Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against H.R. 6061 to create a 700 mile reinforced fence along the U.S.-Mexico border, and to provide for other barriers for border control. H.R. 6061 passed by a vote of 283-138-1 (1 denotes a vote of present.) on September 14, 2006.
2005-2006: Voted in favor of amendment (Goode) to H.R. 1815 to authorize troops on the border
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain conditions, to assist in the performance of border control functions. H. Amdt. 206, sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), passed the House by a vote of 245-184.
None
2004: Voted against bill to increase the number of Border Patrol agents (Hastert)
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.
2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Souder) to H.R. 10 to help security screeners reduce illegal immigration
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Souder Amendment to H.R. 10 to give all security screening personnel access to law enforcement and intelligence information maintained by DHS. The Souder Amendment sought to help security screeners identify and stop illegal aliens. The Souder Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), passed by a vote of 410-0.
2004: Voted against amendment (Ose) to H.R. 10 to increase border control with border fence
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Ose Amendment to ensure completion of the last 14 miles of the San Diego border fence. This would serve as a physical barrier to additional illegal immigration. The Ose Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-Calif.), passed by a vote of 252-160.
2004: Voted against Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions to increase border security
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.
2004: Voted against amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions reducing illegal immigration with border security
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase the number of Border Patrol agents by 2,000 a year for 5 years and to increase the number of ICE inspectors by 1,600 a year for 5 years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions aimed at better screening of airline passengers before they enter the U.S. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.
2004: Voted against an amendment to authorize troops on the border.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain conditions, to assist in the performance of border control functions. The Goode Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), to H.R. 4200 passed the House by a vote of 231-191.
2003-2004: Voted for an amendment (Goode) to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Goode Amendment to H.R. 1588 (Duncan) to authorize members of the military, under certain circumstances, to assist in border control efforts. The Goode Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), passed the House by a vote of 250-179.
48%
C
Strengthen Interior Enforcement
62 out of 128 Total Points
2023: Voted for H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to increase interior enforcement
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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. Diaz-Balart 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.
2023: Voted in favor or H.R. 2494 to strengthen interior enforcement
Rep. Diaz-Balart 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. Diaz-Balart 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. 2 to mandate E-Verify and criminalize visa overstays
Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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.
2021: Voted in Favor of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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 in Favor of H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart sponsored 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.
2019: Voted in favor of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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: Cospsonsored H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored 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. Diaz-Balart 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: Cosponsored H.R. 4916, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Diaz-Balart cosponsored H.R. 4916, 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. 3401, the border crisis supplemental funding bill that would have facilitated the continued trafficking of children along the Southern border Rep. Diaz-Balart 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 for H.R. 6 to weaken enforcement on House floor Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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 in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of 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.
2014: Voted Against Amendment to Investigate Release of Illegal Aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the King amendment to H.R. 4660, the Commerce, Science, and Justice Appropriations Bill. This amendment would appropriate $5 for the Justice Department to investigate the release of 36,007 illegal aliens with criminal convictions by DHS. The amendment passed 218-193.
2014: Voted against amendment to deprive sanctuary cities of funds Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the King amendment to H.R. 4460, the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill. This amendment would deprive sanctuary cities of funds due to them from enforcing federal immigration laws. Sanctuary cities are localities that do not notify federal authorities when illegal aliens are arrested, thereby acting as safe harbors for illegal aliens. The amendment passed 214-194.
2012: Voted in favor of an amendment to protect the 287(g) program (Sullivan) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Sullivan amendment to the FY2013 DHS Appropriations Bill. The amendment would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from terminating 287(g) agreements. The amendment, offered by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Ok.), passed by a 250-164 vote (7 June 2012).
2011: Supported an amendment to keep violent illegal aliens in custody (Cravaack) Rep. Diaz-Balart supported the Cravaack Amendment to the FY 2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Cravaacks amendment would prevent the government from releasing convicted violent or dangerous illegal aliens while they are awaiting deportation. The amendment passed 289-131 (2 June 2011).
2011: Opposed an amendment to defund the 287(g) program (Polis) Rep. Diaz-Balart opposed the Polis Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. Rep. Polis amendment would have removed all funding for the 287(g) program from the bill, thereby preventing DHS from administering the program (effectively killing the 287(g) program). The amendment failed by a vote of 313-107 (2 June 2011).
2011: Voted in favor of an amendment to increase 287(g) funding (Royce) Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Royce Amendment to H.R. 2017, the FY2012 DHS Appropriations Bill. This amendment would increase funding for the 287(g) program by $1 million (about 18.5%). The amendment passed by a vote of 268-151 (1 June 2011).
2009-2010: Voted for an amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify.
Rep. Diaz-Balart supported the King amendment (253) to H.R. 2892, the DHS appropriations bill. The amendment requires all DHS contractors and subcontractors to use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of their employees. The King Amendment would have essentially implemented an Executive Order signed by President George W. Bush requiring all federal contractors to use E-Verify that has continually been postponed by President Obama. Use of E-Verify is one of the most effective tools at keeping illegal aliens out of U.S. jobs. The amendment passed 349-84, and the bill was signed into law October 28th, 2009.
2008: Voted for a bill that continues employment verification.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of H.R. 6633, a bill to reauthorize the E-Verify program for a period of 5 years. The E-Verify program allows businesses to determine the legal status of new hires and prevents illegal aliens from being hired, thus making the program an important tool in the Attrition through Enforcement anti-illegal immigration strategy. The bill passed by a vote of 407-2.
2008: Voted against punishing sanctuary cities.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against a motion to H.R. 5719, the Taxpayer Assistance and Simplification Act. This motion would have recommitted H.R. 5719 with instructions to add language to deny tax exempt interest with respect to bonds of sanctuary states and cities, thereby putting pressure on cities that do not enforce immigration laws and cities who do not cooperate with federal authorities on immigration matters. This motion failed by a vote of 210-210.
2008: Has Not Signed Discharge Petition to move H.R. 4088, a bill to increase interior enforcement Rep. Diaz-Balart has not signed the Discharge Petition on H.R. 4088, the SAVE Act, to require use of the electronic employment eligibility verification system, E-Verify. If the petition collects 218 signatures, a simple majority, the bill can bypass the committee process and be placed on the House floor for a vote.
2007-2008: Voted on House floor for against an amendment to fully fund the training of immigration enforcement officers.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Drake Amendment to H.R. 2638, the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The Drake Amendment would fully fund the presidents budget request ($26.4 million) for the training and support for the voluntary participation of local law enforcement officers in immigration law enforcement. This amendment passed 286-127.
2007: Voted in favor of sanctuary cities for illegal aliens Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against an amendment (H. Amdt. 294) to H.R. 2638 offered by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO). The Tancredo amendment would prohibit funds from the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill from being distributed to states and localities that have sanctuary policies in place that prohibit or inhibit communications between Federal and state/local authorities. The Tancredo Amendment passed by a vote of 234 to 189.
2007-2008: Voted against an amendment to reduce funding for the visa waiver program.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the first Tancredo amendment to H.R. 2638, which would prohibit funding from H.R. 2638 from being used to fund the visa waiver program. This amendment failed 76-347.
2006: Voted against a bill that increases interior enforcement by allowing the federal government to remove aliens from El Salvador.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against H.R. 6095 to clarify state and local law enforcements inherent authority to enforce Federal immigration laws and overturn a decades-old court injunction that impedes the Federal governments ability to remove aliens from El Salvador on an expedited basis. H.R. 6095 passed by a vote of 277-140.
2006: Voted against an amendment that disallows sanctuary cities for illegal aliens.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the King Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The King amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to state and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities.
2006: Voted against an amendment that funded workplace verification to increase interior enforcement.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Marshall Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill of 2007. The Marshall Amendment would fund USCISs electronic employment eligibility verification program. It passed by a vote of 358-63.
2005-2006: Voted against H. Amdt. 288 (Tancredo) and in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against H. Amdt. 288 to H.R. 2862, the CJS Appropriations bill. The amendment would deny certain federal funding to states and cities that violate federal law by enacting sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), failed by a vote of 204 to 222 on June 16, 2005 (2:54 PM).
2005-2006: Voted against amendment (Norwood) to H.R. 1817 to clarify State authority concerning immigration law
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Norwood Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill to clarify the existing authority of State and local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws and detain illegal aliens on May 18, 2005 (6:31 PM). Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) was the primary sponsor.
2005-2006: Voted against H. Amdt. 138 (Tancredo) and in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against H. Amdt. 138 to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2006. The amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to states and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), failed by a vote of 165 to 258 on May 17, 2005 (5:23 PM).
None
2004: Voted against bill to expand expedited removal provisions (Hastert)
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against final passage of H.R. 10 that included provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. H.R. 10, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), passed by a vote of 282-134.
2004: Voted against Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions for expedited removal
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Maloney Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Maloney Motion to Recommit, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), failed by a vote of 193-223.
2004: Voted for amendment (Smith) to decrease interior enforcement by stripping expedited removal provisions
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Smith Amendment to H.R. 10 to strip the expanded expedited removal provision from H.R. 10. This is the provision that had the potential to dramatically increase deportations of illegal aliens by eliminating the appeals process. Somewhere around 2.5 million illegal aliens could be subject to the expedited removal provision. The Smith Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-210.
2004: Voted to expand expedited removal by voting against a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against a Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip a provision from H.R. 10 to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Motion to Instruct failed by a vote of 169-229.
2004: Voted in favor of amendment (Green) to H.R. 10 to create grounds of deportability
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Green Amendment to H.R. 10 to make all terrorist-related grounds of inadmissibility, grounds of deportability, as well. The Green Amendment sought to strengthen immigration law with regard to the deportability of alien terrorists. The Green Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mark Green (R-Wis.), passed by a vote of 283-132.
2004: Voted against amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip expedited removal provisions
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against the Menendez Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 required DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present here for five years. As well H.R. 10 contained provisions that would enhance entry-exit screening measures for people entering and exiting the U.S. The Menendez Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.
2004: Voted against the King Amendment to H.R. 4754 (Wolf) to enforce federal laws against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against increasing funding to the Justice Department for enforcing current federal law against sanctuary policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potentially, terrorists. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), failed by a vote of 139-278.
2004: Voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 4567 (Rogers) that would enforce Federal law against sanctuary policies.
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted against prohibiting homeland security funding from going to states or cities that violate Federal law with sanctuary policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and potentially, terrorists. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) was the primary sponsor of this amendment.
2003-2004: Voted for a bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Calvert).
Rep. Diaz-Balart voted in favor of the Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2003 to extend for five years the voluntary workplace verification pilot program. This program is an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from legal workers. H.R. 2359, sponsored by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), failed by a vote of 231-170, but eventually passed as S. 1685 and was signed by President George W. Bush.
100%
A+
Leadership/Other Actions
5 out of 5 Total Points
2024: Introduced H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act.
Rep. Mario Diaz Balart (R-Fla.) introduced H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. H.R. 2 is the most sweeping immigration enforcement measure since 1996 that would close loopholes related to asylum and UACs, and mandate E-Verify nationwide.