This document is a record and analysis of all of Rep. Alexander's immigration related congressional votes, cosponsorships, and other immigration actions during his career in Congress. Immigration Profiles is the only exhaustive source for this information available in one place.
(If you are reading this on paper, note the "Last Updated" date above. Consult the website www.NumbersUSA.com for any new or changed information, which occurs often.)


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Career Record Source: Congressional Record
Usually supports less immigration, less population growth, less foreign labor.
Each symbol in the left-hand column below signifies an action for HIGHER immigration.
Voting Key
Each symbol in the right-hand column below signifies an action for LOWER immigration.
Chain Migration & Visa Lottery
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Cosponsoring bill to end chain migration in 2009
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of the Nuclear Family Priority Act, H.R. 878. The current annual limits on greencards are 65,000 adult brothers and sisters, 23,400 married sons and daughters and 23,400 unmarried adult sons and daughters. H.R. 878 would eliminate all three categories and not provide an increase in any other category, thereby directly decreasing overall immigration by 111,800 per year (1.118 million a decade). This would indirectly reduce the numbers by even more over time as there would be fewer recent immigrants who are the ones most likely to bring people into the country as spouses or parents of U.S. citizens.

Cosponsoring bill to end chain migration in 2007
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of the Nuclear Family Priority Act, H.R. 938. Introduced by Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), H.R. 938 would effectively end the system of "chain migration" that has largely been responsible for immigration numbers skyrocketing from less than 300,000 in 1965 to around a million today. This system of "chain migration" allows for current immigrants to bring in their adult relatives and then each of those relatives can send for their and their spouse's adult relatives, creating a never-ending and ever-growing chain. The bi-partisan Barbara Jordan Commission recommended doing away with the adult relative categories (begun only in the 1950s) in order to lessen wage depression among lower-paid American workers. H.R. 938 would implement this Jordan Commission recommendation by restricting allocation of family-sponsored immigrant visas so that only spouses or children of a lawful permanent resident (LPR) alien could obtain such visas. Furthermore, it would reduce the number of family-sponsored immigrant visas available per fiscal year to 88,000 minus the number of aliens who were paroled into the United States for humanitarian reasons in the second preceding fiscal year. H.R. 938 would codify protection from unmarried dependent alien children “aging out” (e.g., college students dependent on parents) of eligibility for admission as a family-sponsored immigrant, but also would dramatically reduce the number of aliens who could benefit from such protections.

Voted on House floor for amendment to end visa lottery in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Goodlatte Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Goodlatte Amendment would eliminate the visa lottery. This is a program that each year gives another 50,000 green cards to people without any regard to their humanitarian need or to what they might offer the country or to their having any family connections in the United States. It is a program that promotes massive illegal migration by people who think they may some day win the lottery and be allowed to stay in the United States. The bi-partisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform under the leadership of the late Barbara Jordan recommended eliminating the visa lottery. The Goodlatte Amendment passed by a vote of 273 to 148.

Major Numbers in All Categories
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Cosponsored bill to reduce legal immigration levels in 2006
Rep. Alexander cosponsoredH.R. 4317, the Truth in Immigration (TRIM) Act. The TRIM Act would have required DHS to annually report to Congress on the number of illegal aliens in the United States, listed by country of residence. As well, it would have reduced the total per-country level of legal immigration determined for each country by 50 percent of the number of illegal aliens from that country who were residing in the United States as of August 31 of the preceding fiscal year. Reductions in the legal immigrant admissions would have been implemented in the following order: (1) visa lottery winners; (2) U.S. citizens’ brothers and sisters; (3) U.S. citizens’ married sons and married daughters; (4) lawful permanent resident aliens’ unmarried sons and unmarried daughters; (5) U.S. citizens’ unmarried sons and daughters; (6) skilled workers, professionals, and other specified workers; (7) special immigrants; (8) members of the professions holding advanced degrees or aliens of exceptional ability; (9) priority workers; (10) employment creation aliens; (11) veteran or active duty special immigrants; (12) lawful permanent resident aliens’ spouses and children; and (13) aliens not subject to quotas.

Voted on floor of House in favor of amendment to prohibit legal status to aliens with a criminal record in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Stearns Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Stearns Amendment prohibits any alien from being granted legal immigration status of any kind until criminal record databases and terrorist watch lists are checked, and it is confirmed that no fraud has occurred. This amendment would subject each and every individual who seeks any sort of legal immigration status to a criminal background check and a review of terrorist watch lists to ensure that the United States only grants immigration status those who do not wish our citizens harm. The Stearns Amendment passed by a vote of 420 to 0.

Cosponsored bill to eliminate lottery, reduce chain migration, and increase interior enforcement and border control in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor of H.R. 3938, the Enforcement First Immigration Reform Act of 2005. H.R. 3938 implement some much-needed reforms in our legal immigration system by eliminating the visa lottery which awards 55,000 visas annually through a random drawing and by eliminating the Family 4th Preference category which allots 65,000 visas each year to the siblings of adult U.S. citizens. However, these reforms would be offset by a provision in H.R. 3938 to increase the annual cap on employment-based visas by 120,000 (bringning the total to 260,000).
In addition, H.R. 3938 contains significant enforcement and border control measures. Among its many provisions to reduce illegal immigration are measures to: authorize the use of the military on the border; increase the number of CBP officers, ICE agents, and Border Patrol agents; eliminate birthright citizenship; expand expedited removal; require employers to verify the eligibility of all new hires; clarify the authority of state and local law enforcement officers to assist in the enforcement of immigration laws; prohibit Social Security for illegal aliens; and increase document security.


Cosponsored comprehensive immigration reform in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander cosponsored of H.R. 688, the Securing America's Future through Enforcement Reform Act of 2005 (SAFER Act of 2005). The SAFER Act of 2005 was a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have provided more resources for our legal immigration system, while reducing workload levels. It would also have strengthened our borders, increased screening and tracking of aliens, removed alien terrorists, criminals, and human rights violators, and expedited removal proceedings Specifically, H.R. 688 would have reduced current legal immigration numbers by eliminating the visa lottery program and virtually eliminating chain migration (with the exception of parents). Current legal immigration levels have grown from less than 300,000 in 1965 to around a million annually in recent years primarily because of "chain migration" resulting from provisions allowing immigrants to send for their adult relatives. Then each of those relatives can send for their and their spouse's adult relatives, creating a never-ending and ever-growing chain. The bi-partisan U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, chaired by the late Barbara Jordan, recommended doing away with the adult relative categories (begun only in the 1950s) in order to protect America's most vulnerable workers from wage depression and job competition resulting from mass immigration. As well, H.R. 688 would have reduced the annual limit on refugees and eliminate the unskilled worker visa category. H.R. 688 contained much needed security reforms such as increased Border Patrol agents and INS inspectors, as well as screening and tracking of aliens in the U.S. This bill, in tackling many of the provisions necessary for an effective interior enforcement strategy and in reducing chain migration and eliminating the visa lottery would have reduced the number of people entering the country legally as well as reducing the number who are likely to become illegal aliens.

Member of the bipartisan Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus in the 109th Congress
Rep. Alexander was a member of the bipartisan Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus in the 109th Congress. The Immigration Reform Caucus was established in 1999 to review current immigration policy, propose new immigration policies and provide a forum in Congress for addressing the positive and negative consequences of our immigration policies. The Immigration Reform Caucus agenda includes efforts to improve interior enforcement and border control; deny automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to illegal aliens; and lower immigration levels, including revisiting the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform that suggested eliminating chain migration and the visa lottery. Joining the Caucus is one way in which Members can show their support for lower immigration numbers.

Importing Specific Foreign Workers
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Voted against amendment to prohibit immigration increases in Free Trade Agreements in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 2862, the Science, State, Justice, Commerce (SSJC), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2006. The Tancredo Amendment would have prohibited the use of SSJC funds to include in any bilateral or multilateral trade agreement any provisions that would increase immigration. This effectively would have prevented the U.S. Trade Representative from including immigration increases in Free Trade Agreements (as occured with the Sinagpore and Chile Free Trade Agreements, for instance). The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 106 to 322.

Cosponsoring legislation to increase H-2B workers who are present in the U.S. at any one time in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 793, the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2005, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the timing of issuance of H-2B visas during a fiscal year. Specifically, H.R. 793 would split the H-2B visa cap so no more than 33,000 visas are made available for the first six months the fiscal year, and another 33,000 visas would be available in the second half of the year. HOWEVER, H.R. 793 exempts from the annual cap aliens granted an H-2B visa within three years prior to approval of an H-2B petition, thus potentially TRIPLING the number of H-2B workers in the United States at any one time. Although timing the issuance of H-2B visas is a common-sense approach that would help prevent the situation that occurred in FY 2004 and FY 2005 when the 66,000 annual cap on H-2B (low-skill) nonimmigrant visas was hit within the first quarter of the year, H.R. 793 would ultimately harm American workers by creating exemptions which potentially could triple the number of H-2B workers in the U.S. at any given time.

Cosponsoring bill to increase workplace verification in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor of H.R. 98, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to enforce restrictions on employment in the United States of illegal aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database. H.R. 98 would have required anyone applying for a job to get a new Social Security card with their photograph and biometric information on it. Employers would be required to verify a job applicant's legal status. Employers who violate the law would be fined $50,000 per instance (an increase of five times over the current fee). In addition, H.R. 98 called for 10,000 new Homeland Security Department investigators to enforce the law. Workplace verification programs are an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from those who have the legal right to work in this country, and in removing the job magnet for illegal immigration.

Voted to protect American workers by voting against worker-importation program in 2003
Rep. Alexander voted against the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739. The trade agreement would permit an unlimited number of workers in Singapore to enter the U.S. each year as "treaty traders or investors" who are coming to the U.S. to carry on trade between the U.S. and Singapore or to "establish, develop, administer or provide advice or key technical services" to the operations of a business in which they have invested capital. Congress is prohibited from restricting the category with numerical limits, labor certification requirements or other protections for American workers. This category is in addition to the number of Singaporeans who are permitted to come to the U.S. each year under our normal immigration laws. Finally, the agreements also prohibit Congress from placing any numerical limits, labor certification requirements or other protections for American workers on the issuance of L-1 visas to nationals of Singapore. L-1 visas are available to "intra-company transferees," or aliens who have been employed abroad for at least one year in the three years preceding application by a business that has subsidiaries or affiliates in the United States. Such visas have been widely abused by businesses seeking to avoid the restrictions on H-1B visas. The Singapore Free Trade Agreement passed the House by a vote of 272-155.

Voted to protect American workers by voting against worker-importation program in 2003
Rep. Alexander voted against the Chile Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2738. The trade agreement would permit an unlimited number of workers in Chile to enter the U.S. each year as "treaty traders or investors" who are coming to the U.S. to carry on trade between the U.S. and Chile or to "establish, develop, administer or provide advice or key technical services" to the operations of a business in which they have invested capital. Congress is prohibited from restricting the category with numerical limits, labor certification requirements or other protections for American workers. This category is in addition to the number of Chileans who are permitted to come to the U.S. each year under our normal immigration laws. Finally, the agreements also prohibit Congress from placing any numerical limits, labor certification requirements or other protections for American workers on the issuance of L-1 visas to nationals of Chile. L-1 visas are available to "intra-company transferees," or aliens who have been employed abroad for at least one year in the three years preceding application by a business that has subsidiaries or affiliates in the United States. Such visas have been widely abused by businesses seeking to avoid the restrictions on H-1B visas. The Chile Free Trade Agreement passed the House by a vote of 270-156.

Citizenship for Illegal Alien Babies
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Cosponsoring legislation to deny U.S. citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal aliens in 2009
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 1868, The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2009, legislation that would end the process of granting automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens. This would put an end to a major source of U.S. population growth and remove an incentive for illegal immigration. It has been, and is currently, U.S. policy to automatically grant U.S. citizenship to the babies born to illegal aliens in the United States -- some 300,000 to 350,000 a year according to a spring 2005 article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Not only do these births represent additional U.S. population growth, but because the babies of illegal aliens are U.S. citizens, they can then act as 'anchors' to eventually pull a large number of extended family members into the country legally.

Cosponsoring legislation to deny U.S. citizenship to 'anchor babies' of illegal aliens in 2007
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 1940, The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007, legislation that would end the process of granting automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens. This would put an end to a major source of U.S. population growth and remove an incentive for illegal immigration. It has been, and is currently, U.S. policy to automatically grant U.S. citizenship to the babies born to illegal aliens in the United States -- some 300,000 to 350,000 a year according to a spring 2005 article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Not only do these births represent additional U.S. population growth, but because the babies of illegal aliens are U.S. citizens, they can then act as 'anchors' to eventually pull a large number of extended family members into the country legally.

Cosponsored bill to create a Constitutional amendment to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor of H.J.Res. 46, legislation proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States. The effect of this bill would be to deny the automatic granting of citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens. Current U.S. policy of granting citizenship to the children born to illegal aliens in the U.S. results in between 300,000-350,000 additional citizens a year according the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Not only do these births represent additional U.S. population growth, but because the babies of illegal aliens are U.S. citizens, they can then act as 'anchors' to eventually pull a large number of extended family members into the country legally.

Cosponsoring legislation to deny U.S. citizenship to 'anchor babies' of illegal aliens in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 698, the Citizenship Reform Act of 2005, legislation that would end the process of granting automatic citizenship to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens. This would put an end to a major source of U.S. population growth and remove an incentive for illegal immigration. It has been, and is currently, U.S. policy to automatically grant U.S. citizenship to the babies born to illegal aliens in the United States -- some 300,000 to 350,000 a year according to a spring 2005 article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Not only do these births represent additional U.S. population growth, but because the babies of illegal aliens are U.S. citizens, they can then act as 'anchors' to eventually pull a large number of extended family members into the country legally.

Inviting / Repelling Illegal Aliens
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Voted to allow consideration of verification amendments to the health care reform bill in 2009
Rep. Alexander 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 healthcare 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, the rule prevented the House from considering the Heller, Deal, and Wilson verification amendments to the bill. By opposing the rule, Rep. Alexander signaled his/her opposition to a health bill that creates rewards or incentives for illegal immigration. The rule passed 242-192 (7 Nov. 09; 1:33 PM).

Cosponsoring bill to increase border security and require workplace verification in 2009
Rep. Alexander is cosponsoring H.R. 3308, the Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2009. The bipartisan SAVE Act would help reduce illegal immigration by broadening and enhancing border security and interior enforcement measures. Perhaps the most important aspect of the SAVE Act is its requirement that ALL employers use the E-Verify electronic workplace verification program, an inexpensive, quick, and accurate way to verify the employment eligibility of ALL employees. This would go a long way toward removing the job magnet for illegal immigration. As well, the SAVE Act includes a number of border control provisions. Among the provisions specifically relating to border control are: (1) increasing the number of full-time border patrol agents by 8,000 through 2012; (2) more funding available for the Tunnel Task Force; (3) a student loan repayment program and other incentives to help recruit former members of the Armed Services, National Guard, and other Reserve Components; (4) new and updated border security, surveillance, communication, and apprehension technology; (5) an equipment sharing initiative between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, with progress reports made available to Members of Congress; (6) an official national strategy to secure all U.S. borders and ports of entry; (7) and, empowering governors in border states to declare a border emergency and request temporary redeployment of up to 1000 additional Border Patrol Agents.

Supported a committee amendment to require Department of Agriculture contractors to use E-Verify in 2009.
Rep. Alexander supported the Calvert amendment to H.R. 2997, the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill. The amendment would have required all Dept. of Agriculture contractors and subcontractors to use the E-Verify system to verify the eligibility of their employees. The amendment failed in the House Appropriations Committee 23-34.

Supported an amendment to deter illegal immigration in 2009
Rep. Alexander 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 (24 June 2009, 9:14 pm).

Supported an amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify in 2009.
Rep. Alexander 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 but the EO has been continually postponed by President Obama. Use of E-Verify is one of the most effective tools of Attrition Through Enforcement and keeping illegal aliens out of U.S. jobs. The amendment passed 349-84 on 24 June 2009 (9:24 pm).

Supported a committee amendment to require DHS contractors to use E-Verify in 2009.
Rep. Alexander supported the Kingston amendment to H.R. 2892, the 2010 DHS Appropriations bill. The amendment would have required all DHS contractors and subcontractors to use the E-Verify system to verify the eligibility of their employees. The amendment failed in the House Appropriations Committee 23-35.

Cosponsored a bill in 2007 to prevent illegal aliens from receiving Social Security payments for illegal work
Rep. Alexander cosponsored H.R. 736, the No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act of 2007. This bill would have prohibited an illegal alien’s work from counting toward qualifying for Social Security; and would have stipulated that this prohibition is not applicable retroactively, so that all benefits already granted would not have been affected. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) was the measure’s main sponsor.

Cosponsored a bill to require the use of official government documents in 2007
Rep. Alexander cosponsored H.R. 1314, the Photo Identification Security Act. This bill would have prohibited Federal agencies (for any official purpose) and financial institutions (for purposes of verifying the identity of an individual seeking to open an account) from accepting any form of identification of an individual other than: (1) either: (a) a social security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the Federal or a state government; or (b) a state driver's license or identification card, provided that the state is in compliance with the REAL ID Act; (2) a U.S. or foreign passport; or (3) a photo identification card issued by DHS (through USCIS). Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) was the measure’s main sponsor.

Voted in favor of employment verification in 2008
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of bill, HR 6633, 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 (31 July 2008; 7:44pm).

Voted in favor of preventing illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds in 2008
Rep. Alexander vote in favor of 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 (8 May 2008; 11:30 am).

Voted in favor of punishing sanctuary cities in 2008
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of 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.

Cosponsoring bill to increase border security and require workplace verification in 2007
Rep. Alexander is cosponsoring H.R. 4088, the Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2007. The bipartisan SAVE Act would help reduce illegal immigration by broadening and enhancing border security and interior enforcement measures. Perhaps the most important aspect of the SAVE Act is its requirement that ALL employers use the E-Verify electronic workplace verification program, an inexpensive, quick, and accurate way to verify the employment eligibility of ALL employees. This would go a long way toward removing the job magnet for illegal immigration. As well, the SAVE Act includes a number of border control provisions. Among the provisions specifically relating to border control are: (1) increasing the number of full-time border patrol agents by 8,000 through 2012; (2) more funding available for the Tunnel Task Force; (3) a student loan repayment program and other incentives to help recruit former members of the Armed Services, National Guard, and other Reserve Components; (4) new and updated border security, surveillance, communication, and apprehension technology; (5) an equipment sharing initiative between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, with progress reports made available to Members of Congress; (6) an official national strategy to secure all U.S. borders and ports of entry; (7) and, empowering governors in border states to declare a border emergency and request temporary redeployment of up to 1000 additional Border Patrol Agents.

Cosponsoring bill to reduce illegal immigration
and increase interior enforcement in 2007 Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of the Charlie Norwood CLEAR Act of 2007. The Charlie Norwood CLEAR Act of 2007, H.R. 3494, essentially mandates the federal government to pick up every illegal alien apprehended by local authorities, and it would pay local police and sheriff's departments for detaining the illegal aliens. As well H.R. 3494 would require that all aliens who violate immigration law be entered into the National Crime Information Center database, therefore greatly increasing the chances for state and local police to apprehend them; would create a new criminal offense for unlawful presence in the United States; would require DHS to build or acquire 20 more detention facilities in the United States, with a total of at least 10,000 beds, so that more aliens can be detained pending their removal or a decision on their removal; would encourage state and local governments to provide DHS with information on suspected illegal aliens and, subsequently, reimburse them for the costs of doing so; and would, two years following enactment, cut off State Criminal Alien Assistance Program funding (which aids states in incarcerating illegal aliens who commit additional offenses) to any state (or a municipality therein) that has a sanctuary policy in place. This legislation would not only stop the illegal population in the United States from growing above its estimated 10-12 million level but also would begin slowly and steadily reducing the illegal population. Click here to read a summary of the bill.

Voted for an amendment to prohibit Social Security funds from being used administer benefits accrued from work performed in Mexico.
Rep. Alexander voted for 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.

Voted against an amendment to reduce the time period of a country's "temporary protected status."
Rep. Alexander 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.

Voted against an amendment to reduce funding for the visa waiver program.
Rep. Alexander voted against the first Tancredo amendment to HR 2638, which would prohibit funding from HR 2638 from being used to fund the visa waiver program. This amendment failed 76-347.

Voted in favor of an amendment to increasing funding for the construction of a border fence
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Brown-Waite amendment to HR 2638. This amendment re-directs $89 million set to be appropriated to the Undersecretary for Management's 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.

Voted on House floor for amendment to fully fund the training of immigration enforcement officers
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Drake Amendment to H.R. 2638, the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The Drake Amendment would fully fund the president's budget request ($26.4 million) for the training and support for the voluntary participation of local law enforcement officers in immigration law enforcement, an important force multiplier in the fight against illegal immigration. This amendment passed 286-127.

Cosponsoring resolution calling on the President to enforce existing immigration laws in 2007
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H. Res. 499, providing a sense of the House that the Bush Administration should implement statutorily-mandated immigration and border controls and enforce existing Federal immigration law, including, notably: (1) implementation of the entry and exit portions of US-VISIT; (2) enforcement of existing provisions requiring the sanctioning of employers who do not comply with "unlawful employment" laws; (3) compliance with the Secure Fence Act of 2006 through completion of the fencing called for along the U.S.-Mexico border; and (4) increasing the use of expedited removal procedures for all illegal aliens eligible for such removal under Federal law. In addition, it would provide a sense of the House that taking these steps would: (1) result in a considerable decrease in illegal immigration into the United States; and (2) vastly improve U.S. border security.

Voted against "sanctuary cities" for illegal aliens in 2007
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of an amendment (H. Amdt. 294) to 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.

Member of the bipartisan Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus in the 110th Congress
Rep. Alexander is a member of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus in the 110th Congress. The Immigration Reform Caucus was established in 1999 to review current immigration policy, propose new immigration policies and provide a forum in Congress for addressing the positive and negative consequences of our immigration policies. The Immigration Reform Caucus agenda for the 110th Congress includes efforts dedicated towards identifying legislative solutions to address the issue of illegal immigration.

Cosponsoring bill to implement mandatory workplace verification in 2007
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 19, a bill to phase in mandatory employer participation in the Basic Pilot program electronic employment eligibility verification program over seven years, rename the program the Employment Eligibility Verification System, and authorize appropriations for the System’s full implementation. H.R. 19 would go a long way toward preventing employers from hiring illegal aliens. As a result, it would remove much of the job magnet for illegal immigration.

Voted in favor of preventing illegal aliens from voting in union elections
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of a Motion to Recommit H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. The Motion to Recommit, introduced by Rep. McKeon (R-CA), would have recommitted H.R. 800 to the Committee on Education and Labor with instructions to report the legislation 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. This would have prevented illegal aliens from voting in unionization elections. This would have been an important interior enforcement measure because illegal aliens should not be allowed to have an influence in whether a workforce decides to be unionized or to block unionization. Businesses should not be allowed to use illegal aliens to stop unionization desired by its American workers. And unions should not be allowed to use illegal aliens to force unionization on American workers who don't want it. 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. Motion to The Motion to Recommit failed by a vote of 202-225.

Voted in favor of bill to increase interior enforcement in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 6095, the Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006>Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006 which would clarify state and local law enforcement’s inherent authority to enforce Federal immigration laws and overturn a decades-old court injunction that impedes the Federal government’s ability to remove aliens from El Salvador on an expedited basis. H.R. 6095 passed by a vote of 277-140.

Voted in favor of bill to outlaw border tunnels in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 4830, the Border Tunnel Protection Act of 2006 that would penalize any person constructing or financing a border tunnel with up to 20 years’ imprisonment and anybody who recklessly permits others to construct or use such a tunnel on their land with up to 10 years’ imprisonment; would punish those who use a border tunnel to smuggle aliens (including terrorists and criminals), weapons, drugs, and other illicit goods by doubling the sentence for the underlying offense (i.e., up to 40 years’ imprisonment). H.R. 4830 passed by a vote of 422 to 0.

Voted in favor of border fence in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006. H.R. 6061: requires the Department of Homeland Security to construct 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors in five specified lengths (encompassing approximately 700 miles) along the United States’ southwestern border; requires DHS to study the necessity, feasibility, and economic impact of constructing a similar barrier along the U.S.-Canada border; enhances border infrastructure, including checkpoints, roads, and vehicle barriers; and requires DHS to achieve and maintain "operational control" of our borders within 18 months of enactment and require reports on the progress toward this goal. H.R. 6061 passed by a vote of 283-138-1 (1 denotes a vote of "present.")

Cosponsored bill to prohibit amnesty and other rewards for illegal alien gang members in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor of H.R. 2933, the Alien Gang Removal Act of 2005. H.R. 2933 would make aliens who are members of violent criminal gangs inadmissible and deportable. This bill would authorize mandatory detention of alien gang members, expedite the deportation of alien gang members by barring most forms of relief from removal and prohibit alien gang members from receiving Temporary Protected Status.

Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the King Amendment to H.R. 5441, the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The amendment would deny federal homeland security funding to state and local governments who refuse to share information with Federal immigration authorities. The King Amendment would be a huge incentive to rescind the policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists, by denying states and localities that enact them some Federal funding. Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The amendment passed by a vote of 218 to 179.

Voted against amendment to end special amnesty for certain Central Americans in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted against the Tancredo Amendment to H.R. 5541, the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The Tancredo Amendment would prohibit funds appropriated by H.R. 5441 from being used to administer the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua announced by DHS before the bill's enactment. Temporary Protected Status provides a temporary amnesty for certain illegal aliens from designated countries. The Tancredo Amendment failed by a vote of 134-284-1 (the "1" was a "present" vote).

Voted against amendment to fund employment eligibility verification system in 2006
Rep. Alexander voted against the Marshall Amendment to H.R. 5441, the fiscal year 2007 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill. The Marshall Amendment would increase funding for USCIS' employment verification program by $20 million. This program , which is currently voluntary, allows employers to electronically check the eligibility of new employees to work in the United States. However, in December, 2005, the House passed H.R. 4437 which makes the program mandatory. The Marshall Amendment would fund this program. The Marshall Amendment passed by a vote of 358-63.

Voted on floor of the House for final passage of border security and enforcement bill in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. H.R. 4437, as amended and passed, includes major improvements in interior enforcement and border security, as well as a reduction in legal immigration numbers. Among its most significant provisions are: a requirement that all businesses must use an electronic system to check if all new hires have the legal right to work in the country; additional security fencing along the Mexican border; a mandate that the federal government cooperate with local authorities in picking up all illegal aliens they detain; and elimination of the visa lottery program that each year awards 50,000 green cards to randomly selected winners. H.R. 4437 passed by a vote of 239 to 182.

Voted on the floor of the House in favor of amendment to require implementation of entry-exit system in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Sullivan Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Sullivan Amendment requires full implementation of the automated entry-exit system that was instituted by Congress in 1996. As well, it requires the removal of unlawfully present aliens unless they fear persecution at home or are seeking asylum. It also reinforces the important role of state and local law enforcement in the fight against illegal immigration. The Sullivan Amendment failed by a vote of 163 to 251.

Voted on House floor for amendment to increase security with border fence in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Hunter Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Hunter Amendment would shore up security by building fences and other physical infrastructure to keep out illegal aliens. Specifically, it mandates the construction of specific security fencing, including lights and cameras, along the Southwest border for the purposes of gaining operational control of the border. As well, it includes a requirement for the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study on the use of physical barriers along the Northern border. The Hunter Amendment passed by a vote of 260-159.

Cosponsored bill to require workplace verification in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander cosponsored H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. H.R. 4437, introduced by Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) requires all employers to use the Basic Pilot program to verify that new hires have a legal right to work in the United States.

Cosponsored bill to authorize the use of the military in border control efforts in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor of H.R. 1986, legislation to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to assist the Department of Homeland Security in securing the borders under certain circumstances.

Cosponsoring bill to deter illegal immigration in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 4032, a bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the issuance of residential mortgages to illegal aliens and remove the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to expedited removal. Expanding usage of expedited removal will ensure that illegal aliens do not get away with their immigration offense and compound it by remaining in America. As well, H.R. 4032 will prohibit the extension of credit to illegal aliens seeking a mortgage to buy real estate in the United States. This will remove a huge incentive for illegal immigration.

Cosponsoring bill to require workplace verification for federal contractors in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 2049, the Federal Contractor Security Act. H.R. 2049 requires Federal service contractors to participate in the Basic Pilot program for employment eligibility confirmation. This will ensure that illegal aliens are not hired as Federal service contractors and it is an important step in deterring illegal immigration.

Cosponsoring bill to increase document security in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 815, the Financial Customer Identification Verification Improvement Act. H.R. 815 prohibits the use of identification cards issued by foreign governments, including Matricula consular cards, for purposes of verifying the identity of a person who opens an account at a financial institution. This eliminates one reward for illegal immigration and makes it more difficult for those illegally in the country to open bank accounts which helps them establish roots, and easily live and work in the United States.

Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H. Amdt. 288 to H.R. 2862, the the Science, Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations, 2006 Act. The amendment, offered by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) would deny federal funding to states and cities that are in violation of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. This is the provision that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies that bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The Tancredo Amendment would have created an incentive for states and cities to follow federal law prohibiting policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists. The amendment failed by a vote of 204 to 222.

Voted against amendment to fund program to deny driver's licenses to illegal aliens in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted against the Obey amendment (H. Amdt. 144) to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Obey amendment provided $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.

Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of an amendment (H. Admt. 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, offered by Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), would have created a huge incentive to rescind the policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists, by denying them some Federal funding. Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The amendment failed by a vote of 165 to 285.

Voted in favor of amendment to increase State and local law enforcement's ability to enforce immigration laws in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Norwood Amendment to H.R. 1817, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Norwood (R-GA), clarifies the existing authority of State and local law enforcement personnel to assist in the apprehension and detention of illegal aliens. This amendment would not only help deter future illegal immigration, but gradually begin to reduce the current 10-12 million illegal alien population in the United States. The amendment passed by a vote of 242 to 185.

Voted to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control functions in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H. Amdt. 206 to H.R. 1815. The amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain circumstances, to assist the Bureau of Border Security and U.S. Customs Service of the Department of Homeland Security on preventing the entry of terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal aliens into the United States The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Goode of Virginia, passed the House by a vote of 245-184.

Cosponsoring bill to reduce illegal immigration
and increase interior enforcement in 2005-2006 Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of, the CLEAR Act of 2005. H.R. 3137 essentially mandates the federal government to pick up every illegal alien apprehended by local authorities, and it would pay local police and sheriff's departments for detaining the illegal aliens. This legislation would not only stop the illegal population in the United States from growing above its estimated 10-12 million level but also would begin slowly and steadily reducing the illegal population.

Cosponsoring legislation to reduce illegal immigration through increased document security in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 925, the Identification Integrity Act of 2005. The bill would require a secure and verifiable ID be used to obtain Federal public benefits. H.R. 925 would prohibit federal agencies from accepting non-verifiable ID documents issued by foreign governments, such as the matricula consular. Thus, illegal aliens holding those foreign cards would not be able to use them to enter a federal building guarded by federal law enforcement authorities such as the U.S. Marshal Service, or to apply for any federally provided public benefit. However, H.R. 925 would permit acceptance of foreign passports, regardless of whether the holder has permission to be in the country, as evidenced by a US-issued entrance stamp or visa.

Voted in favor of bill to bar drivers' licenses for illegal aliens in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted on the floor of the House in favor of H.R. 418, the REAL ID Act. This legislation would set federal standards for the issuance of drivers' licenses and require proof of "legal presence" in order to obtain a driver's license. This would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers' licenses. As well, H.R. 418 would tie the driver's license expiration date of a temporary visa holder to the expiration date of their visa so that those who enter the country legally as visa holders, but become illegal aliens by overstaying their visas will not have a valid driver's license after the date of the expiration of their visa. In addition, H.R. 418 includes provisions to broaden the terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and deportability of aliens, and to complete construction of the San Diego border fence. H.R. 418 would deter illegal immigration by making it more difficult for illegal aliens to enter and to remain in the United States. It also would reduce significantly the risk that terrorists will be able to game our asylum system or avoid removal because of loopholes in our immigration laws. H.R. 418 was passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 261-161.

Voted against amendment to strip asylum reforms from H.R. 418 in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted against the Nadler Amendment to H.R. 418. The Nadler Amendment was an amendment to strike Section 101 of H.R. 418. Section 101 of H.R. 418 is the section includes reforms of our asylum laws to prevent terrorists from gaming our asylum system. Specifically, it includes 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. Requiring an asylum claimant to bear the burden of proof is consistent both with our justice system and with international law, which says we must grant asylum to an alien who has been persecuted or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion (the five grounds agreed upon in the Geneva Convention). The Nadler Amendment failed by a vote of 185-236.

Voted in favor of the Rule that incorporated the Manager's Amendment to strengthen some of the key immigration reforms of H.R. 418 in 2005
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the rule that incorporated the Manager's Amendment to H.R. 418 (H. Res. 75). H.R. 418 was brought to the House floor for consideration under a rule that incorporated an amendment by the bill's sponsor, Chairman Sensenbrenner. Because the rule included the amendment, a vote for the rule did two things: 1) like any rule for consideration, it established the time limits for debate of the bill and permitted the debate to begin; and 2) it added the text of the Manager's Amendment to the original bill. The Manager's Amendment included the following changes to strengthen the provisions of H.R. 418: requires immigration judges to determine an alien's credibility before granting relief or protection from removal; limits deportable aliens' ability to stall their deportation by filing endless appeals in court; and strikes 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 Manager's Amendment also included a provision to eliminate the cap of 10,000 per year on the number of asylees who may apply for adjustment to permanent resident status after residing in the U.S. for at least one year following the grant of asylum. However the rest of the provisions of the Manager's Amendment more than make up this provision, since asylees already are virtually assured permanent resident status eventually. The Manager's Amendment passed by a vote of 228-198.

Cosponsoring bill to make workplace verification program madatory in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander is a cosponsor of H.R. 19, to require employers to conduct employment eligibility verification. H.R. 19 expands permanently the Employment Eligibility Verification System (originally named the Basic Pilot Program) nationwide and requires all employers to participate. As well, H.R. 19 expands the courts’ authority to require participation in system for employers found in violation of employer sanctions laws. H.R. 19 would phase the mandatory program in over a period of seven years.

Cosponsored legislation to bar drivers' licenses for illegal aliens in 2005-2006
Rep. Alexander was a cosponsor the REAL ID Act, H.R. 418. Introduced by House Judiciary Chairman Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), H.R. 418 includes provisions to set federal standards for the issuance of drivers' licenses and a "legal presence" requirement that would make illegal aliens ineligible for drivers' licenses. As well, H.R. 418 would tie the driver's license expiration date of a temporary visa holder to the expiration date of their visa so that those who enter the country legally as visa holders, but become illegal aliens by overstaying their visas will not have a valid driver's license after the date of the expiration of their visa. (This was the situation for some of the 9/11 hijackers who entered the country legally, but overstayed their visas, becoming illegal aliens who still had valid drivers' licenses that allowed them to board planes on 9/11.) In addition, H.R. 418 includes provisions to broaden the terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and deportability of aliens, and to complete construction of the San Diego boder fence. The provisions of H.R. 418 would go a long way toward deterring future illegal immigration and implementing immigration-related security reforms that were initially recommended by the 9/11 Commission.

Voted for amendment to H.R. 10 to complete border fence in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Ose Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. The Ose Amendment would have ensured completion of the last 14 miles of the San Diego border fence. This would serve as a physical barrier to additional illegal immigration. While the border fence will segment the habitat of a few species and cause localized habitat destruction in the immediate construction zone, it will reduce the widespread destruction of habitat for all species that is caused by large numbers of illegal aliens trampling through pristine areas, leaving huge quantities of trash and human waste, and building campfires that too often turn into devastating wildfires. The Ose Amendment passed by a vote of 252-160.

Voted in favor of amendment to H.R. 10 to increase deportation of alien terrorists in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Green Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. The Green Amendment would have made all terrorist-related grounds of inadmissibility, grounds of deportability, as well. This would have strengthened immigration law with regard to the deportability of alien terrorists. The Green Amendment passed by a vote of 283-132.

Voted in favor of amendment to H.R. 10 to prevent illegal aliens from entering the country in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Souder Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. The Souder Amendment would have given all security screening personnel access to law enforcement and intelligence information maintained by DHS. The Souder Amendment would have helped security screeners identify and stop illegal aliens. The Souder Amendment passed by a vote of 410-0.

Voted against amendment to strip provision to make it harder for terrorists to get asylum in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against the Smith Amendment to strip from H.R. 10 the asylum provision that reaffirmed that the burden of proof is on the asylum claimant, and that the adjudicator may require corroborating evidence "where it is reasonable to expect such evidence." This would have made it harder for terrorists to receive asylum in the U.S. by no longer allowing them to claim that the tenets of a terrorist organization are a "political opinion" for which their home government would persecute them if they are denied asylum. The Smith Amendment failed by a vote of 197-219.

Voted against amendment to strip expedited removal for illegal aliens from H.R. 10 in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against the Smith Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. The Smith Amendment would have stripped the expanded expedited removal provision from H.R. 10 that requires DHS to utilize expedited removal in the case of all aliens who have entered the U.S. illegally and have not been present in the U.S. for 5 years. 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 failed by a vote of 203-210.

Voted for legislation with significant illegal immigration reduction provisions in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. H.R. 10 represented the primary legislative response in the House of Representatives to the recommendations of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission). The 9-11 Commission made several recommendations with regard to immigration that, in the Commission's opinion, would increase security and help prevent a future attack. Many of the Commission's immigration recommendations were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions to: prohibit driver's licenses to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. H.R. 10 passed by a vote of 282-134.

Voted against a Motion to Recommit with Instructions to strip significant illegal immigration reduction provisions from H.R. 10 in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against a Motion to Recommit with Instructions on H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. H.R. 10 represents the primary legislative response in the House of Representatives to the recommendations of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission). The 9-11 Commission made several recommendations with regard to immigration that, in the Commission's opinion, would increase security and help prevent a future attack. Many of the Commission's immigration recommendations were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions to: prohibit driver's licenses to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. The Motion to Recommit, introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), would have effectively stripped ALL of the immigration provisions from H.R. 10, thus removing all of the measures that were based upon the immigration-related recommendations of the 9-11 Commission. The Motion to Recommit failed by a vote of 193-223.

Voted against Motion to Instruct Conferees to strip key illegal immigration reduction provisions from bill in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against a Motion to Instruct Conferees on S. 2845, the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004. S. 2845 represents the primary legislative response in the Senate to the recommendations of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission), however, it contains NO effective immigration provisions. Alternatively, H.R. 10 represents the primary legislative response in the House of Representatives to the 9-11 Commission. It contains provisions to prohibit driver's licenses to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. The Motion to Instruct Conferees on S. 2845 encouraged the Conferees to strip the expedited removal, asylum, and secure ID provisions of H.R. 10 from the final bill. The Motion to Instruct Conferees failed by a vote of 169-229.

Voted against amendment to strip significant illegal immigration reduction provisions from H.R. 10 in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against the Menendez Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. H.R. 10 represented the primary legislative response in the House of Representatives to the recommendations of The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9-11 Commission). The 9-11 Commission made several recommendations with regard to immigration that, in the Commission's opinion, would increase security and help prevent a future attack. Many of the Commission's immigration recommendations were included in H.R. 10 such as provisions to: prohibit driver's licenses to illegal aliens; expedite removal of illegal aliens; increase Border Patrol and ICE agents; and prevent Federal agencies from accepting or recognizing consular ID as valid proof of identity. The Menendez Amendment would have stripped ALL of the immigration provisions from H.R. 10, thus removing all of the measures that were based upon the immigration-related recommendations of the 9-11 Commission. The Menendez Amendment failed by a vote of 203-213.

Voted in favor of secure IDs in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against the Oxley Amendment (H. AMDT 754) to strip the Culberson Amendment from H.R. 5025, the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations bill. The Culberson amendment would have prohibited the Treasury Department from using any of the funding in the bill to publish, disseminate, authorize or enforce regulations that permit or allow financial institutions to accept the Mexican matricula consular ID card. The Culberson amendment was intended to send a clear message to the Treasury Department and to financial institutions that Mexican matricula consular ID card is neither a secure nor acceptable forms of ID. While it would not have actually required Treasury to change the current regulations which permit financial institutions to accept consular ID cards (rules governing amendments to appropriations bills would not permit such a requirement), it would have made those regulations unenforceable, which is a strong incentive for Treasury to change them. Rep. Oxley offered an amendment to strip the Culberson Amendment from the bill. The Oxley Amendment passed by a vote of 222-177.

Voted against rewarding illegal aliens from Mexico with Social Security benefits in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Hayworth Amendment (H. AMDT 745) to H.R. 5006, the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill. The amendment would have prohibited any funding in the bill from being used to pay Social Security Administration (SSA) employees to administer any benefits that would not be payable but for a totalization agreement with Mexico. The effect of this would be to prevent the U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement from taking effect -- at least during FY 2005 -- since SSA employees could not be paid for any work they do to determine or pay benefits under the agreement. The U.S.-Mexico totalization agreement would allow both legal AND illegal aliens working in the United States to qualify for Social Security benefits. The amendment failed by a vote of 178-225.

Voted against enforcing federal laws against sanctuary policies
to protect illegal aliens in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted against the King Amendment (H. AMDT 655) to the Commerce, Justice, State, Appropriations Act of 2005, H.R. 4754, that would have increased funding to the Justice Department for enforcing current federal law against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens. Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The King Amendment would have allowed the Justice Department to more fully enforce federal law against policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists. The amendment failed by a vote of 139-278.

Voted in favor of sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted AGAINST an amendment (H. AMDT 583) to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2005, H.R. 4567, that would prohibit homeland security funding from going to states or cities that have violated Federal law by enacting sanctuary policies. Sanctuary policies bar public officials, including police officers, from asking an individual's immigration status to determine eligibility for public services and from reporting illegal aliens to federal authorities. In 1996, Congress passed a law that specifically prohibits state and local governments from enacting sanctuary policies. Despite that, cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, still have sanctuary policies in place. Maine is the only state with a sanctuary policy. The amendment, offered by Rep. Tom Tancredo, would have created a huge incentive to rescind the policies that protect illegal aliens, criminal aliens, and, potentially, terrorists, by denying them some Federal funding. The amendment failed by a vote of 148-259.

Voted to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control functions in 2004
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Goode Amendment to H.R. 4200, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the military, under certain circumstances, to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the performance of border control functions. The Goode Amendment passed the House by a vote of 231-191.

Voted to extend voluntary workplace verification pilot program in 2003
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of H.R. 2359, the Basic Pilot Extension Act of 2003. H.R. 2359 would extend for five years the voluntary workplace employment eligibility authorization pilot programs created in 1996. This program is an important component of preventing illegal aliens from taking jobs from those who have the legal right to work in this country. H.R. 2359 passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 18 to 8 before being brought up on the suspension calendar. Because it was brought up on the suspension calendar, no amendments were allowed to be offered to the bill and the bill needed a two-thirds majority in order to pass. Thus, even though a majority of Representatives voted in favor of H.R. 2359 (231-170), it failed because a two-thirds majority did not vote in favor of it. However, the Basic Pilot Extension Act eventually passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent as S. 1685. Then, the House passed by voice vote S. 1685 and it was signed by the President, becoming Public Law No. 108-156.

Voted in favor of amendment to fight foreign IDs for illegal aliens in 2003
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Hostettler Amendment to H.R. 1950, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. The Hostettler Amendment would have 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 passed by a vote of 226-198.

Voted to authorize the use of the military to assist in border control functions in 2003
Rep. Alexander voted in favor of the Goode Amendment to H.R. 1588, to authorize members of the military, under certain circumstances, to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the performance of border control functions. The Goode Amendment passed the House by a vote of 250-179.



Tell Representative Alexander what you think of his immigration record.
Phone: (202) 225-8490
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Rodney Alexander
Rep. Rodney Alexander
(R-Louisiana: District 5)
Alexandria, Bastrop
 
Served in House: 2003-
Last Updated: November 12, 2009