Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Chain Migration

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Visa Lottery

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Unnecessary Worker Visas

Took Weak Positive Action for Refugees & Asylees

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Amnesty Enticements

Acted Negatively for End Birthright Citizenship

Took Strong Positive Action for Reduce Illegal Immigration Rewards

Took Strong Positive Action for Strengthen Border Security

Took Positive Action for Strengthen Interior Enforcement

2020: Voted against H.R. 2214 to preserve the presidents authority on immigration Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), that would significantly limit executive authority from being used to prevent future border surges. The bill would restrict the use of 1182(f) that allows the President to suspend immigration for national security reasons and nullify Pres. Trumps executive orders aimed at preventing border surges.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3071 to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 3071, the Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act, introduced by Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.), that would add deportability and expedited removal threats to any foreign student in the country who poses a threat to national security.

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

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 1412, the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act, to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 1412, the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act, introduced by Rep. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.). This legislation would require that ICE be notified of any attempts by an illegal alien to purchase a firearm.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 1645, the VOICES Act of 2019, to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 1645, the VOICES Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas). This legislation would direct the Sentencing Commission to look at unlawful presence as an aggravating factor and states that Federal terms of imprisonment do not run concurrent with State imprisonment if an alien is unlawfully present. It also would add mandatory minimums for unlawful reentry.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2278, the RAISE Act, to cut legal immigration by up to 50% Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 2278, the RAISE Act, introduced by Francis Rooney (R-Fla.). This legislation would eliminate the visa lottery and eliminate chain migration by ending the family-preference categories for parents, siblings, and adult children of U.S. citizens. The legislation would allow for parents who are cared for by their adult, U.S. citizen children to receive a renewable visa. Further, the legislation would cap refugee admissions at 50,000 per year. This bill would reduce the current flow of more than 1 million legal immigrants each year to 500,000-600,000 within 10 years.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 891, the Nuclear Family Priority Act, to end Chain Migration Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 891, the Nuclear Family Priority Act, introduced by Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA). H.R. 891 would end family chain migration by eliminating the adult siblings of U.S. citizens and adult children of U.S. citizens categories. The bill would also eliminate green cards for parents of U.S. citizens, but still allow parents to live in the country with renewable visas. The bill would reduce legal immigration by more than 300,000 per year and was a recommendation of the Barbara Jordan Commission.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2278, the RAISE Act, to cut legal immigration by up to 50% Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 2278, the RAISE Act, introduced by Francis Rooney (R-Fla.). This legislation would eliminate the visa lottery and eliminate chain migration by ending the family-preference categories for parents, siblings, and adult children of U.S. citizens. The legislation would allow for parents who are cared for by their adult, U.S. citizen children to receive a renewable visa. Further, the legislation would cap refugee admissions at 50,000 per year. This bill would reduce the current flow of more than 1 million legal immigrants each year to 500,000-600,000 within 10 years.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 3564 to reduce unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 3564. the Fairness for High-Skilled American Act, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), that would terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. OPT allows foreign students who graduate with degrees from U.S. colleges or universities to obtain work in the United States upon graduation.

2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent unnecessary foreign workers Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would automatically renew all nonimmigrant work permits that would have expired during the Covid-19 national emergency for a length of time equal to original visa. Further, it would also fast-track the admission of foreign health care workers and increase the number of green cards issued each year for the next 3 years by 4,000 for the importation of foreign doctors and nurses.

2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to expand low-skilled legal immigration Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent H-2B increases Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, that provides funding for the federal government for FY2020. H.R. 1865 included a provision that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020. Under the same provision, DHS added an additional 30,000 H-2Bs in FY 2019.

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to increase H-2B visas Sen. Gaetz 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 2347 to expand asylum Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 2347, the Border and Refugee Assistance Act, introduced by Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas), that would dramatically expand the number of foreign nationals receiving asylum each year by including anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or gang violence.

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

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 481, the Asylum Protection Act of 2019, to reduce asylum fraud Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 481, the Asylum Protection Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.). The legislation would limit defensive asylum applications to within 30 days of arrival and require those who arrive at a port of entry with the intent to claim asylum to file at the port of entry.

2020: Voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, to prevent a temporary amnesty for illegal workers Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.). The legislation would have granted deferred action and work authorization to approximately 2 million illegal aliens currently working in occupations that are considered to be critical infrastructure work.

2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to grant amnesty to illegal farm workers Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted against H.R. 6 mass amnesty on House floor Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 4 million illegal aliens. The legislation included the Dream Act, which would have allowed 3.2 million illegal aliens who claim to have entered the country before their 18th birthday and meet certain other requirements to receive amnesty. The legislation also included an amnesty for at least 430,000 foreign citizens (mostly illegal aliens) from countries that have been given Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.

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

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

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 1190 to block tuition benefits for illegal aliens Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 1190, introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.). This legislation would prohibit an alien who is not in a lawful immigration status in the United States from being eligible for postsecondary education benefits that are not available to all citizens and nationals of the United States.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 848, introduced by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.), to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 848. This legislation would restrict federal benefits to only verified citizens, using a method similar to E-Verify.

2020: Voted against H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, to preserve border security Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 5581, the Access to Counsel Act, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.). The legislation would require adequate time to access counsel for all aliens referred for secondary inspection at ports of entry. In doing so, it would slow down processing at ports of entry and redirect resources that could otherwise be used for border security.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 1928, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.) Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 1928, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2019. This legislation would expand the definition and ban on sanctuary cities. It would block Byrne and Cops on the Beat grants, as well as other law enforcement grants related to immigration for sanctuary jurisdictions. The bill would also create a private right of action for victims of murder, rape, or any felony, against the state, political subdivision, or public official responsible for sanctuary status.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 546, the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019, to strengthen border security Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 546, the Border Bonds for America Act of 2019, introduced by Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.). This legislation would create a bond program for funding additional border barriers along the Southern border.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 256, the Peoples Border Wall Fund Act, to construct additional border barriers Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 256, the Peoples Border Wall Fund Act, introduced by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.). This legislation would authorize the Department of the Treasury to accept gifts of money for constructing, designing, or maintaining a barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border. It requires Treasury to establish the Border Wall Trust Fund to store the funds and a public website to receive such gifts, which shall be appropriated for the border barrier and may not be used for any other purpose.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 85, the Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act, to construct additional border barriers Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 85, the Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). This legislation would establish a border wall fund (for the FULL southern border), funded by taxing remittances to every country, charging $2000 in foreign aid for each alien crossing illegally, and increasing the I-94 (arrival/departure form) fee from $6 to $25.

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

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

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

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

2019: Voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, to weaken interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The legislation would have granted amnesty to approximately 1.5 million illegal farm workers and their families, while waiving many inadmissibility restrictions. It also would have expanded the H-2A guest worker program by setting aside 20,000 visas for year-round work traditionally held by American workers. Further, it would have created 40,000 new green cards for longtime H-2A workers and other low-skilled foreign workers.

2019: Voted against H.R. 1158, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, to prevent weakening interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz voted against 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. 1412, the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act, to strengthen interior enforcement Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 1412, the Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act, introduced by Rep. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.). This legislation would require that ICE be notified of any attempts by an illegal alien to purchase a firearm.

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. Gaetz voted against H.R. 3401 on the House floor. The bill failed to include payroll funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who are dealing with the ongoing border crisis. The bill also lacked funding for additional detention space and failed to address the root causes of the border surge, guaranteeing the need for future spending bills.

2019: Voted against H.R. 6 to oppose weakening enforcement on House floor Rep. Gaetz voted against H.R. 6 on the House floor that would have granted amnesty to approximately 3.6 million illegal aliens. The legislation would grant amnesty to approximately to illegal aliens prima facia, meaning it suspends interior enforcement during the time the amnesty is being granted. The bill passed the House by a vote on 237-to-187.

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

2019: Voted in favor of the omnibus spending bill, H.J. Res. 31, to weaken interior enforcement Sen. Gaetz 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.

2019: Cosponsored H.R. 904, the New Illegal Deduction Elimination Act, introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), to reduce rewards for illegal immigration Rep. Gaetz cosponsored H.R. 904, the New Illegal Deduction Elimination Act of 2019. This legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code so that wages and benefits paid to unauthorized aliens are not tax deductible. The legislation would also make improvements to E-Verify, including permanent authorization for the program, safe harbor for employees that properly use E-Verify, and permission for employers to make job offers contingent upon work authorization.