Voted on House floor against amendment to end visa lottery in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against 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.

Cosponsoring legislation that includes provision to increase chain migration in 2005-2006

Rep. Cannon is a cosponsor of H.R. 3402, the Department of Justice Authorization bill FY2006-FY2009. Title IX of H.R. 3402, the Protection for Immigrant Victims of Violence provision, is the only Title of the bill that deals directly with immigration. Title IX expands the immigration provisions that were included in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994 and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. Title IX loosens the rules governing visas for victims of trafficking and domestic violence and their families. It would increase chain migration and increase the possibility of abuse of our refugee/asylum system.

	Voted against amendment requiring that aliens must be in the country legally to get citizenship based on military service in 2003
	Rep. Cannon voted as part of the House Judiciary Committee AGAINST the King Amendment to H.R. 1954, the Armed Forces Naturalization Act of 2003. The King Amendment required that aliens and their families must be in the United States legally in order to get citizenship on the basis of military service. The King Amendment passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 14-8.

Voted on floor of House in favor of amendment to prohibit legal status to aliens with a criminal record in 2005

Rep. Cannon 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.

Voted against amendment to prohibit immigration increases in Free Trade Agreements in 2005

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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.

	Cosponsored legislation to import additional low-skill foreign workers
	Rep. Cannon cosponsored H.R. 4041. Introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), H.R. 4041, would have removed the numeric cap on H-2B visas (currently 66,000) for 2004. This would have allowed thousands of low skill foreign workers to enter the U.S. and compete with American workers.

	Cosponsored legislation to import more low-skill foreign workers in 2004
	Rep. Cannon cosponsored H.R. 4052, the Save Summer Act of 2004. Introduced by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA), H.R. 4052 would have raised the H-2B visa cap for 2004 by 40,000 (up from 66,000) for a total of 106,000 H-2B visas.

Voted against American workers by voting for worker-importation program in 2003

Rep. Cannon voted for the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, H.R. 2739. The trade agreement would permit an unlimited number of Singaporeans 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 against American workers by voting in favor of worker-importation program in 2003

Rep. Cannon voted in favor of 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.

Voted in 2000 for importing more foreign workers

Rep. Cannon voted as part of the House Judiciary Committee for H.R.4227 in 2000. This legislation would have removed the cap on the number of H-1B visas available for three years PROVIDED THAT the worker protections from the 1998 H-1B bill be implemented. Although the bill would have allowed an unlimited number of H-1B visa holders into the country, thus increasing overall numbers, the legislation did contain important worker protections and fraud prevention measures. Among these provisions, H.R.4227 would have required that H-1Bs work full time and are paid more than $40,000 a year. It would also have required that employers provide the Labor Department with information about each H-1B visa holder and that information is posted on the Internet. The legislation passed the committee 18-11.

Voted in committee for worker protections in 2000
Rep. Cannon voted as part of the House Judiciary Committee for the Smith/Jackson Lee/Goodlatte Amendment to H.R.4227. This amendment required that the worker protections from the 1998 AICWA (H-1B) bill be in effect by September 1, 2000. These are important worker protections that were included in the 1998 H-1B increase bill, but have yet to be put into effect. The amendment passed 24-7.

	Voted against minority hiring and recruitment in 2000
	Rep. Cannon voted AGAINST the Waters amendment to H.R.4227. This amendment would have required corporations to show some level of hiring and recruitment among Blacks and Hispanics, or the H-1B program would be shut down. The amendment was defeated 12-17.

Nearly doubled H-1B foreign high-tech workers in 1998

Rep. Cannon helped the House pass H.R.3736. Enacted into law, it increased by nearly 150,000 the number of foreign workers high-tech American companies could hire over the next three years. Although the foreign workers receive temporary visas for up to six years, most historically have found ways to stay permanently in this country. Rep. Cannon voted for more foreign workers even though U.S. high tech workers over the age of 50 were suffering 17% unemployment and U.S. firms were laying off thousands of workers at the time.

Voted in 1998 to allow firms to lay off Americans to make room for foreign workers

Before the House passed the H-1B doubling bill (H.R.3736), Rep. Cannon had an opportunity to vote for a Watt Substitute bill that would have forbidden U.S. firms from using temporary foreign workers to replace Americans. Rep. Cannon opposed that protection. The substitute also would have required U.S. firms to check a box on a form attesting that they had first sought an American worker for the job. Rep. Cannon voted against that. The protections for American workers fell 33 votes short of passing.

Tried to strip worker protections from House Judiciary Committee's H-1B bill in 1998.

Rep. Cannon was one of only seven members of the House Judiciary Committee of the 105th Congress who voted to allow U.S. firms to lay off Americans to hire foreign workers. The committee held careful hearings on H.R.3736, examining the H-1B temporary foreign worker program and the need for such high-tech workers. The broad bi-partisan consensus of the committee was that there was no conclusive evidence of a worker shortage. But to ensure that high-tech U.S. firms would not get into a bind, the committee voted for a compromise three-year increase in visas for companies that certified (1) they were not laying off Americans to make room for the foreign workers and (2) they had first tried to find an American to do the job. Rep. Cannon joined six of the committee members in pushing the Rogan Amendment to strip out those worker protections and make the bill more like the one that passed the Senate. But the committee voted 24-7 majority AGAINST the Rogan amendment and against Rep. Cannon. After the bill passed the committee, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich executed a little-used power and stripped out the worker protection language before bringing the bill to a vote on the House Floor.

Rep. Cannon has taken no action to reduce
the rewarding of illegal immigration by giving citizenship
to anchor babies.

Inviting / Repelling Illegal Aliens top

Voted in favor of preventing illegal aliens from receiving federal housing funds in 2008
Rep. Cannon 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 restricting funding to business that hire illegal aliens in 2008

Rep. Cannon voted in favor of an amendment to HR 5819 that would prohibit SBIR or STTR awards from going to a small business concern if an unlawful alien has an ownership interest in that concern or in a concern that has interest in the small business. The amendment also prohibits SBIR and STTR awards from going to businesses that have repeatedly hired, recruited, or referred unlawful aliens. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program ensure that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. The amendment passed by a vote of 406-0, with 3 present.

Voted in favor of punishing sanctuary cities in 2008

Rep. Cannon 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.

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

Voted in favor of "sanctuary cities" for illegal aliens in 2007

Rep. Cannon voted against 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.

Voted in favor of preventing illegal aliens from voting in union elections

Rep. Cannon 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.

Cosponsoring bill to create an amnesty for illegal agricultural workers in 2007

Rep. Cannon is a cosponsor of H.R. 371, the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007. H.R. 371 is an amnesty for agricultural workers. Of the 1.2 million illegal aliens currently working in agriculture, an estimated 860,000 plus their spouses and children could qualify for this amnesty, so the total could reach three million or more. The potential recipients of the amnesty will be required to prove at least 863 hours or 150 work days of agricultural employment in two preceeding years. H.R. 371 would, subsequently, allow these “blue card” illegal aliens to apply for legal residency (i.e., amnesty), provided they demonstrate that they have worked in agriculture here: (1) 100 work days per year each of the first five years following enactment; (2) 150 work days per year each of the first three years following enactment; or (3) over the course of the first four years after enactment, 150 work days per year for three of those years and 100 work days for the other. Read an analysis of the AgJOBS amnesty.

Voted in favor of bill to increase interior enforcement in 2006

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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.")

Voted for sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2006

Rep. Cannon voted against 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. Cannon 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 in favor of amendment to fund employment eligibility verification system in 2006

Rep. Cannon voted in favor of 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. Cannon 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 against amendment to require implementation of entry-exit system in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against 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 against amendment to clarify local law enforcement's authority to enforce immigration laws in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against the Norwood Amendment to H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The Norwood amendment clarifies the existing authority of State and local law enforcement personnel to assist in the apprehension and detention of illegal aliens. As well, it requires DHS to: (a) provide training assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies; (b) reimburse state and local entities aiding in immigration enforcement; (c) continue the Institutional Removal Program (IRP), which guarantees that dangerous or criminal aliens who have been incarcerated, are removed and not released into the community; and, (d) expand the IRP to all states and, in so doing, authorizes state and local law enforcement to detain illegal aliens for up to 14 days. Further, it authorizes $1 billion for State Criminal Alien Assistance Program grants and prohibits state and local law enforcement who fail to aid or cooperate with federal government enforcement from being reimbursed for alien incarceration costs. 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 237 to 180.

Voted in committee in favor of bill to increase border security and interior enforcement in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted as part of the Judiciary Committee in favor of H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. H.R. 4437 would mandate that every employer in America use what is now called the Basic Pilot Program to assure that new hires are legally allowed to work. This is probably the single most powerful measure that would reduce the illegal population in this country. The bill would strengthen border enforcement through increased personnel and infrastructure, encourage involvement of state and local law enforcement agencies in – and provide appropriate reimbursement to those agencies for – immigration enforcement, and authorize coordinated border surveillance efforts between DHS and DOD. H.R. 4437 was passed by the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 23 to 15.

Voted in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against 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. Cannon 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 in favor of sanctuary policies for illegal aliens in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against 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.

Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty in 2005-2006

Rep. Cannon was a cosponsor of H.R. 3364, the Central American Security Act. H.R. 3364 is an amnesty for up to 2.3 million illegal aliens. It would extend the massive NACARA amnesty for Nicaraguans and Cubans to illegal aliens from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and potentially serve as an incentive for new illegal migration by holding out hope illegal aliens will eventually be rewarded with amnesty.

Voted against amendment to increase interior enforcement in 2005

Rep. Cannon voted against 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. Cannon 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 create an amnesty for illegal agricultural workers in 2005-2006

Rep. Cannon is a cosponsor of H.R. 884, the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005. H.R. 884 is an amnesty for agricultural workers. Of the 1.2 million illegal aliens currently working in agriculture, an estimated 860,000 plus their spouses and children could qualify for this amnesty, so the total could reach three million or more. The potential recipients of the amnesty will be required to prove 100 days of agricultural employment in the 18-month period that ended Aug. 31, 2004. Then, prior to receiving amnesty, workers will have to show 360 days of additional farm work over the next six years. In addition to providing amnesty for illegal aliens, this bill would also provide amnesty for employers who hired illegal aliens. H.R 884 furthermore allows an illegal alien to gain legal representation at taxpayers’ expense through the Legal Services Foundation.

Voted in favor of bill to bar drivers' licenses for illegal aliens in 2005

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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.

Voted for amendment to H.R. 10 to complete border fence in 2004

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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 against enforcing federal laws against sanctuary policies to protect illegal aliens in 2004

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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. Cannon 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.

	Cosponsored amnesty for Colombians and Peruvians in 2003-2004
	Rep. Cannon cosponsored of H.R. 2843, the Andean Amnesty Act of 2003. H.R. 2843 would have rewarded illegal aliens from Peru and Colombia with amnesty, provided they had been in the U.S. since December 31st, 1999.

Cosponsored a guestworker program to create amnesty for illegal aliens in 2003-2004

Rep. Cannon cosponsored the Border Security and Immigration Improvement Act, H.R. 2899. This bill would have created a legalization process for almost all illegal aliens who would then be eligible for green cards after 6 years. Under the provisions of H.R. 2899, an illegal alien would receive a 3-year H-4B visa. At the end of 3 years, the alien could adjust to an H-4A "guestworker" visa, valid for 3 years. Following this second 3-year period (a total of 6 years), the alien could self-petition for a green card. However, an employer can petition for a green card for any H-4A visa holder, regardless of how long the alien employee has been in the U.S.

Voted in favor of amendment to fight foreign IDs for illegal aliens in 2003

Rep. Cannon 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. Cannon 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.

	Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with in-state tuition rates and amnesty in 2003-2004
	Rep. Cannon cosponsored of H.R. 1684, the Student Adjustment Act of 2003. H.R. 1684 would have granted in-state tuition and amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 21 who had been physically present in the country for five years and were in 7th grade or above. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with amnesty in 2003-2004

Rep. Cannon cosponsored H.R. 1300, the Central American Security Act. H.R. 1300 was an amnesty for up to 2.3 million illegal aliens. It would have extended the massive NACARA amnesty for Nicaraguans and Cubans to illegal aliens from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras and potentially serve as an incentive for new illegal migration by holding out hope illegal aliens will eventually be rewarded with amnesty.

	Cosponsored bill to reward illegal aliens with in-state tuition rates and amnesty in 2001-2002
	Rep. Cannon was a cosponsor of H.R. 1918, the Student Adjustment Act of 2001. H.R. 1918 would have granted in-state tuition and amnesty to illegal aliens under the age of 21 who have been physically present in the country for five years and are in 7th grade or above. Such a reward for illegal immigration serves as an incentive for more illegal immigration.

Cosponsored legislation to grant amnesty to over 2 million illegal aliens in 2002

Rep. Cannon cosponsored the Central American Security Act, H.R. 4037 that would have expanded the 1997 NACARA amnesty to an estimated 2.3 million Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Hondurans who are now living illegally in the United States. The estimated 10-year impact of the NACARA amnesty on U.S. population is 966,480. By supporting the H.R. 4037 amnesty, Rep. Cannon not only supported rewarding illegal immigrants with amnesty, but also supported rapid population growth through the addition of at least 3.2 million additional legal permanent residents.

Voted FOR Section 245(i), a form of amnesty for illegal aliens in 2002

Rep. Cannon voted FOR H RES 365, which was brought up and passed in a new form in March of 2002. The vote in favor of the bill was a vote in favor of rewarding illegal aliens via a four-month reinstatement of Section 245(i). That is an expired immigration provision that allows illegal aliens with qualified relatives or employers in the U.S. to pay a $1,000 fine, to apply for a green card in this country, and to be allowed to stay in this country without fear of deportation until their turn arrives for a green card years, and even decades, later. The illegal aliens also would not have to go through the usual security screening in U.S. embassies in their home countries. The lowest estimate from supporters of the bill was that some 200,000 illegal aliens would benefit. H RES 365 included language that would implement some important visa-tracking regulations helpful to discouraging illegal immigration. But all of those provisions had already been passed previously in H.R. 3525, making the assistance to illegal aliens the sole purpose of the bill. Rep. Cannon was one of 275 Representatives who voted in favor of the 245(i) amnesty. The bill narrowly passed by a vote of 275 to 137 (a two-thirds majority was needed in order to pass).

Voted in favor of a four-month extension of Section 245(i) in 2001

Rep. Cannon voted on the floor of the House IN FAVOR OF a motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1885, a four-month extension of Section 245(i), which is a de facto amnesty in that current federal policy did not deport illegal aliens once they applied for Section 245(i) and allowed them to remain in the U.S. for years until they were allowed to become official immigrants. The vote on the four-month extension represented a compromise of the White House push for a longer extension. Even though the four month extension was better than a year-long or permanent extension, it still would have resulted in at least 200,000 more people being added to the country through illegal immigration. Rep. Cannon was part of a 336-43 majority voting in favor of the four-month extension of Section 245(i). It did not become law, though.

Cosponsored bill to create an amnesty for illegal agricultural workers in 2003-2004

Rep. Cannon cosponsored H.R. 3142, the Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act of 2003. H.R. 3142 would have created an amnesty for certain agricultural workers. Of the 1.2 million illegal aliens then working in agriculture, an estimated 860,000 plus their spouses and children could have qualified for this amnesty, so the total could have reached three million or more. The potential recipients of the amnesty would have been required to prove 100 days of agricultural employment in the 18-month period that ended Aug. 31, 2003. Then, prior to receiving amnesty, workers would have had to show 360 days of additional farm work over the next six years.

Voted to authorize troops on the border in 2001.
Rep. Cannon voted to enforce the border by voting for the Traficant amendment to HR 2586. This amendment authorized the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, to request that members of the Armed Forces assist the INS with border control duties. The Traficant amendment passed by a vote of 242 to 173, but this measure was never considered by the Senate.

Voted in 2000 to authorize troops on the border.
Rep. Cannon acted to enforce the border by voting for the Traficant amendment to H.R.4205. This amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense, under certain circumstances, to assign members of the Armed Forces to assist the INS with border control duties. The Traficant amendment passed by a vote of 243 to 183, but the Clinton Administration never chose to exercise this power.

Voted to authorize the use of troops on the border in 1999
Rep. Cannon voted in favor of the Traficant amendment to H.R. 1401. This amendment authorized the Secretary of Defense, under certain circumstances, to assign members of the Armed Forces to assist the Border Patrol and Customs Service only in drug interdiction and counter terrorism activities along our borders. The Traficant amendment passed by a vote of 242 to 181.

Voted AGAINST killing pro-illegal-alien Section 245(i) program in 1997

Given the chance to vote against a notorious pro-illegal immigration program called Section 245(i), Rep. Cannon declined. The Section 245(i) program dealt with certain illegal aliens who were on lists that could qualify them eventually for legal residency. It provided them a loophole in which they could pay a fee and avoid a 1996 law’s provision that punishes illegal aliens by barring them for 10 years from entering the U.S. on a legal visa as a student, tourist, worker or immigrant. The controversial experimental program was supposed to “sunset” late in 1997 and be automatically taken off the books. But the Senate voted to permanently continue the pro-illegal immigration program by attaching it to an appropriations bill. House leaders, though, refused to include the program in the House appropriations bill. That meant the issue would be decided in a joint Senate/House Conference Committee. Representatives wanting to make sure that House Conferees fought the Senate stance, brought a “Motion to Instruct” to the floor. The motion -- if passed -- would make it clear that the House wanted the Conferees to kill the Section 245(i) program. Immigration lawyers lobbied the House vigorously to keep what to them was a lucrative program. Rep. Cannon was part of a 268 to 153 House majority that refused to “instruct” the Conferees to kill the program. Despite the vote, House Conferees worked hard to kill the program and succeeded.