Lou Barletta on Immigration

Zero-tolerance policy; stop DACA in its tracks

Lou Barletta (R): No. Has sponsored bills to defund & end DACA & "stop DACA in its tracks." Introduced 2017 bill to remove Dreamers' work eligibility permits.

Bob Casey (D): Yes. Supported 2017 bill to let Dreamers become permanent residents if they meet certain qualifications.

Q: Support path to citizenship for America's 11 million illegal immigrants?

Lou Barletta (R): No. Supports zero-tolerance policy to strengthen existing laws & protect borders. Against citizenship for US-born children of illegal immigrants.

Bob Casey (D): Yes. Must secure our borders, but also finally address comprehensive immigration reform. Voted for 2013 comprehensive reform bill with earned path to citizenship, which failed.

Avoiding immigrant family separation is amnesty

In Pennsylvania, Rep. Lou Barletta took an aggressive approach against his own party's immigration plan. "I hate it," he said. "What does it accomplish? It's amnesty."

Barletta said he has compassion for the children caught up in the immigration debate. But he said he wouldn't support an immigration bill unless it also blocked employers from hiring immigrants who are in the US illegally, eliminated "sanctuary cities" & ended family-based migration.

Barletta said his party should "absolutely" fear a political backlash from its base this fall should Republicans push through the current compromise.

Crack down on fraudulent immigration documents

I think it's reasonable that people show proof of citizenship before getting a driver's license. I think employers should be penalized for hiring illegal aliens. If a person is in this country illegally and further breaks our laws, after that person serves time here, he or she should be sent back to his or her own country

Make visa overstay a felony

Endorsed by the ALI, indicating a strongly anti-amnesty stance.

ALIPAC supporters have a diverse range of opinions, yet we are united in the belief that more should be done to reduce illegal immigration. ALIPAC supports those that legally immigrate, but we DO NOT support any amnesty, visa expansion, or "Guest Worker" program designed to reward illegal aliens or legalize their presence in the US. We support a peaceful, non racist, rule of law approach to resolving illegal immigration. America is a land of generous and caring people, but our hospitality and values are being strained and abused by those who are willing to break the law and take our jobs and our tax dollars. America's illegal alien population will begin to shrink instead of grow if we support candidates that will reflect the will of the vast majority of American citizens.

FOUR POINT PLATFORM: "Simply enforce our existing immigration laws!"
1. Secure Our Borders
2. Crack down on employers that intentionally hire illegals
3. Remove incentives and rewards to illegals such as licenses, welfare, and other taxpayer benefits
4. Enforce our existing laws and deport illegal aliens when convicted of crimes or detected during routine law enforcement activities.

No birthright citizenship unless one parent is an American.

Congressional Summary:
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to consider a person born in the United States "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth purposes if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is:

1. a U.S. citizen or national,
2. a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States, or
3. an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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)