2003-2004: Cosponsored SAFE Act to eliminate the visa lottery (Goodlatte).
H.R. 775 would have eliminated the visa lottery that each year gives 50,000 green cards to people without any regard to humanitarian need, family connections, or potential contribution to the U.S. The primary sponsor was Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

2003-2004: Voted in favor of a bill to increase foreign-worker visas (DeLay).
Rep. Sessions 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. Sessions 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.

2004: Voted in favor of bill to reduce asylum fraud (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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 to reduce asylum fraud by voting against amendment (Smith) to strip provision making it harder for terrorists to get asylum
Rep. Sessions voted against 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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.

2004: Cosponsored bill to reduce asylum fraud (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions cosponsored 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. Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2004: Voted in favor of bill to prohibit drivers licensesfor illegal aliens (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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 the issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and require 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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: Cosponsored bill to prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions cosponsored H.R. 10 that included provisions to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses and birth certificates. H.R. 10 would prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegal aliens and require 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. Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2004: Voted against amendment (Oxley) allowing use of foreign ID cards in U.S.
Rep. Sessions voted against 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 for amendment (Hayworth) and against rewarding illegal aliens with Social Security benefits.
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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: Voted for an amendment to fight the use of foreign IDs.
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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 Amendment, sponsored by Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), passed by a vote of 226-198.

2003-2004: Cosponsored bill to prohibit use of non-verifiable foreign ID documents (Gallegly).
Rep. Sessions cosponsored H.R. 687 to prohibit federal agencies from accepting non-verifiable ID documents issued by foreign governments, such as the matricula consular. This would have prevented illegal aliens from being able to open a bank account or to apply for any federally provided public benefit. The primary sponsor was Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.).

2004: Voted in favor of bill to increase the number of Border Patrol agents (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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. Sessions 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 for amendment (Ose) to H.R. 10 to increase border control with border fence
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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: Cosponsored bill to reduce illegal immigration with additiaonal Border Patrol agents (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions cosponsored 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. Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2004: Voted against an amendment to authorize troops on the border.
Rep. Sessions 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: Cosponsored the VISA Act to authorize Congress to use the military to secure the borders (Sessions).
Rep. Sessions cosponsored H.R. 3452 to help reduce illegal immigration by authorizing Congress to use the military to secure the borders. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Voted for an amendment (Goode) to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control.
Rep. Sessions 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.

2004: Voted in favor of bill to expand expedited removal provisions (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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. Sessions 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 against amendment (Smith) to decrease interior enforcement by stripping expedited removal provisions
Rep. Sessions voted against 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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. Sessions 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: Cosponsored bill to expand expedited removal provisions (Hastert)
Rep. Sessions cosponsored H.R. 10 that included provisions to increase interior enforcement by expanding current expedited removal provisions. H.R. 10 would require 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. Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) was the primary sponsor.

2004: Voted in favor of the King Amendment to H.R. 4754 (Wolf) to enforce federal laws against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens.
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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 for the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 4567 (Rogers) to enforce Federal law against sanctuary policies.
Rep. Sessions voted in favor of 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: Cosponsored the VISA Act to decrease the ability of illegal immigrants to escape before deportation (Sessions).
Rep. Sessions cosponsored H.R. 3452 to limit the release of aliens in removal proceedings, thereby reducing the number of illegal aliens with standing deportation orders who are able to disappear before they are deported. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) was the primary sponsor.

2003-2004: Voted for a bill to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification (Calvert).
Rep. Sessions 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.

2003-2004: Cosponsored CLEAR Act to reduce illegal immigration with immigration law enforcement (Norwood).
Rep. Sessions cosponsored the CLEAR Act of 2003 to clarify state and local law enforcements ability to enforce immigration laws. If enacted, H.R. 2671 would have reduced the flow of new illegal aliens into the United States and also begun to slowly and steadily reducing the current illegal population. Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) was the primary sponsor.