Dave Reichert on Immigration

Campaign Website Statements

Border Security and Immigration

When it comes to illegal immigration and border security, Congressman Reichert approaches the issue from the perspective that we must first protect our borders and enforce our current laws to keep people from entering our country illegally. He believes we have both a right and a responsibility to control entry into our nation and regulate access to American jobs and social services.

Congressman Reichert believes that immigration is not just compatible with, but is a necessary component of economic growth and we must be careful to protect our economic interests while we work to strengthen our borders and protect the homeland.

• Supports measures to provide a verification system so employers can be sure their employees are here legally, and believes employers must be held accountable for knowingly hiring illegal workers.
• Supported legislation to provide an additional 1,000 border patrol agents; ensuring we have enough border patrol agents to guard our borders in the north and south and help local law enforcement officials enforce existing laws.
• Supported legislation authorizing a 700-mile barrier along vulnerable areas of our border with Mexico.
• Supported legislation to close a loophole in our border patrol efforts by ending “catch and release” - the practice in which illegal immigrants from countries other than Mexico are assigned court dates for immigration hearings, are released, and then disappear.
• Supports legislation to prevent illegal aliens from accessing the same benefits and services that tax-paying Americans enjoy.
• Supported legislation to enhance state driver’s licenses; requiring states to verify legal status on al cards issued.
   

 

Voting Record

Removing Funds for Lawsuits

In May of 2012, the House voted on an amendment put forth by Congresswoman Black of Tennessee. The Amendment was to prohibit the use of funds to be used by the Attorney General to originate or join in any lawsuit that sought to overturn, enjoin, or invalidate Immigration Enforcement Laws in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, Utah, Indiana, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. The amendment passed 238-173 with most Republicans supporting it and most Democrats opposing it. Dave Reichert cast a "No Vote"

Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006

The Border Tunnel Prevention Act sought to impose a 20 year prison term on anyone building a tunnel to bring drugs or people across the border, and a 10 year term on anyone allowing a tunnel to be built on their property. The act passed almost unanimously in the House in roll call 469, but never came up for a vote in the Senate. Dave Reichert voted in favor of the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2006.

Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006

In 2006, an effort was made to pass legislation (HR 6095) to give state and local law enforcement \"the inherent authority to investigate, identify, arrest, detain, or transfer to federal custody aliens in the United States\". The legislation also cracked down on smugglers of illegal immigrants. While the legislation passed the house on roll call 468 with bipartisan support, it was tabled in the Senate and never came to a vote. Dave Reichert voted in favor of this legislation to enforce immigration laws in the US.

Secure Fence Act of 2006

Another piece of immigration law which actually passed in 2006 was called the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (HR 6061). The legislation was a series of requirements to monitor the border with both manpower and electronic surveillance. The legislation passed the house in roll call 446 with bi-partisan support. Dave Reichert voted in favor of this legislation to secure the border.

Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005

In 2005, the House passed the Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The act was an attempt to create a more secure border. The act passed the House in a 239-182 vote, but was not voted on in the Senate. Dave Reichert voted in favor of this legislation.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

Session-110; Bill Number-H R 4176; Prevention of Unsafe Licensing Act - Cosponsor

To enhance national security by restricting access of illegal aliens to driver's licenses and State-issued identification documents.

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