Mark Sanford on Immigration Republican SC Governor; previously Representative (SC-1)

Voted YES on more immigrant visas for skilled workers.

Voted YES to ban DREAMer immigrants from military service.

Congressional Summary: The House voted on an amendment by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) to H.R. 5293, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017. The amendment would prohibit funds from being used to extend the expiration of, or reissue a new expiration date to, the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) program.

Recommendation by Heritage Foundation to vote YES:(6/16/2016): The MAVNI program is a pilot program authorizing "military services to recruit certain legal immigrants whose skills are considered to be vital to the national interest." However, a DoD memo has made it clear that DACA/DAPA recipients are eligible under this program, essentially opening up a pathway to amnesty for illegal aliens who enlist. By ensuring that this guidance ends, DOD will no longer be able to enlist illegal immigrants through MAVNI.

Recommendation by the ACLU to vote NO: (6/28/2011): The DREAM Act promotes fundamental fairness for young people by allowing access to affordable post-secondary education and military service opportunities, regardless of immigration status, and would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, have lived here for at least five years and have graduated from high school. The DREAM Act could result in billions of dollars in additional tax revenue from tapping the potential of DREAM-eligible students and future service personnel. Since September 11, 2001, more than 69,000 immigrants have earned citizenship while serving, and more than 125 who entered military service after that date have made the ultimate sacrifice in war by giving their lives for this nation.

Legislative outcome: Failed House 210 to 211 (no Senate vote)

Declared English the official language of the US.

OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Amends Federal law to declare English to be the official language of the US Government.
• Representatives of the Federal Government have an affirmative obligation to preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government.
• Requires such representatives to conduct official business in English.
• Prohibits anyone from being denied Government services because he or she communicates in English.
• Requires that all officials conduct all naturalization ceremonies entirely in English.
• Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages.

EXCERPTS FROM BILL:

The Congress finds and declares the following:
2. The US is comprised of individuals and groups from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
4. The US has benefited and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
5. The common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been a common language.
6. The Federal Government should maintain a language common to all people.
7. English has historically been the common language and the language of opportunity in the US.
8. The purpose of this title is to help immigrants better assimilate and take full advantage of opportunities in the US.
9. By learning the English language, immigrants will be empowered with the language skills and literacy necessary to become responsible citizens and productive workers in the US.
10. The use of a single common language in conducting official business of the Federal Government will promote efficiency and fairness.
11. English should be recognized in law as the language of official business of the Federal Government.
12. Any monetary savings derived from the enactment of this title should be used for the teaching of the English language to non-English-speaking immigrants.