2004: Cosponsored bill to increase low-skill worker importation (Delahunt).
Rep. McGovern cosponsored H.R. 4052 to increase by 40,000 the annual cap for 2004 on H-2B visas for low-kill, temporary foreign workers. Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to protect American workers (Johnson).
H.R. 2849 was a bill to implement reforms of the H-1B and L-1 visa programs aimed at preventing American high-tech workers from being displaced by foreign workers. The legislation included important protections for American workers, including prevailing wage and no-layoff provisions. It also extended current no-layoff provisions for H-1B dependent employers to all H-1B employers. Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) was this bills primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Voted against a bill to increase foreign-worker visas (DeLay).
Rep. McGovern voted against 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 against a bill to create worker importation program (DeLay).
Rep. McGovern voted against the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739 that would permit an unlimited number of tech and professional workers to enter the U.S. on L-1 visas. H.R. 2739, sponsored by Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), passed by a vote of 272-155.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill preventing employers from hiring foreign workers to displace American workers (DeLauro).
Rep. McGovern cosponsored H.R. 2702, a bill to provide much needed protections for American workers by preventing employers using the L-1 visa to hire foreign workers and displacing American workers to hire L-1s. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) was the primary sponsor.

2004: Voted against bill to reduce asylum fraud (Hastert)
Rep. McGovern 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. McGovern 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 in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 in favor of Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip asylum fraud reducing provisions from H.R. 10
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provision to reduce asylum fraud
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), failed by a vote of 203-213.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to grant amnesty to illegal aliens (Cannon).
Rep. McGovern 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. McGovern 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).

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to grant amnesty to illegal aliens (Davis).
H.R. 1300 was 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. This bills primary sponsor was Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.).

2004: Voted against bill to prohibit drivers licenses for illegal aliens (Hastert)
Rep. McGovern 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 in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 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 contains 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 against prohibiting drivers licenses for illegal aliens by voting in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions prohibiting issuance of drivers licenses for illegal aliens
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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. McGovern 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. McGovern 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. McGovern 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. McGovern 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).

2004: Voted against bill to increase the number of Border Patrol agents (Hastert)
Rep. McGovern 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. McGovern 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. McGovern 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 in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions to increase border security
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip provisions reducing illegal immigration with border security
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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.

None

2003-2004: Voted against an amendment (Goode) to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control.
Rep. McGovern voted against the Goode Amendment to H.R. 1588 (Duncan) authorizing 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.

2004: Voted against bill to expand expedited removal provisions (Hastert)
Rep. McGovern 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 in favor of a Motion to Recommit (Maloney) on H.R. 10 to strip provisions for expedited removal
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of a 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. McGovern 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 against expedited removal by voting in favor of a Motion to Instruct Conferees
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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 against amendment (Green) to H.R. 10 to create grounds of deportability
Rep. McGovern voted against 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 in favor of amendment (Menendez) to H.R. 10 to strip expedited removal provisions
Rep. McGovern voted in favor of 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. McGovern 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. McGovern 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 against bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Calvert).
Rep. McGovern voted against 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.