Q: Support DACA, allowing "Dreamers" who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, to achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?
Dean Heller (R): Mixed positions. Called original
DREAM Act a "backdoor amnesty" program, and voted against. Supported a recent DACA extension. Opposed recent bill with path to citizenship, though open to the concept, depending on specifics.
Jacky Rosen (D): Yes. Co-sponsored DREAM Act. Also general earned path to citizenship "for law-abiding undocumented immigrants who are
playing by the rules and contributing to our economy." So potential earned path for more than just DACA recipients.
Pathway to citizenship for illegals in army or college
On immigration, Heller said he's willing to work with Democrats for comprehensive reform.He said he supported a pathway to citizenship for those who came here illegally and served in the military or are getting an education.
He said he also supports efforts to push English-only legislation and making it easier to immigrate to the country legally. "So the principles that
I'm trying to support is trying to make these people succeed," he said. "I want them to succeed here in this country."
Democrats pounced on his reference to "these people," setting up a conference call with Latino leaders for the next morning; Latino leaders said they were insulted.
Overhaul 14th Amendment against immigrant citizenship
Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Joe Heck met with Hispanics in a sort of tough love session. The two Nevada Republicans affirmed to the group, called Hispanics in Politics, that the GOP needed Latino support in November.
But they remained steadfast in their hard-line stance on immigration.
Not only did they tell the Hispanic group that they remained opposed to the
DREAM Act, a federal proposal that would provide a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented college students and soldiers, they said the 14th Amendment to U.S. Constitution--which provides citizenship to anyone born in the
United States--needed overhauling to prevent the children of undocumented immigrants from gaining citizenship.
Stop Illegal Immigration and Defend Our Borders: Dean Heller opposes amnesty for those that enter America illegally. Immigrants that wish to become citizens must follow our laws. In Congress,
Heller will support increased efforts to defend America�s borders and protect us from anyone that wants to do harm to Americans. Heller will defend our freedom, and our way of life in Nevada.
End Birthright Citizenship; no more anchor babies.
Heller signed H.R.1868
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:
a U.S. citizen or national;
a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States; or
an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Acknowledge the right of birthright citizenship established by section 1 of the 14th amendment to the Constitution, regarding a person born in the United States.
The amendment made by subsection (a)(3) shall not be construed to affect the citizenship or nationality status of any person born before the date of the enactment of this Act.
[OnTheIssues note: This bill would change the existing interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which currently defines as a US citizen any person born within US territory. This bill intends to remove the right of illegal aliens to gain US citizenship by bearing children while in the country illegally; the issue is known by bill supporters as "anchor babies"]
Source: Birthright Citizenship Act 09-HR1868 on Apr 2, 2009
Rated A+ by the ALI, indicating a strongly anti-amnesty stance.
Heller scores A+ by ALIPAC, Americans for Legal Immigration
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!"
Secure Our Borders
Crack down on employers that intentionally hire illegals
Remove incentives and rewards to illegals such as licenses, welfare, and other taxpayer benefits
Enforce our existing laws and deport illegal aliens when convicted of crimes or detected during routine law enforcement activities.
Heller supports the CC survey question on border security
The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Increase Border Security Including Additional Infrastructures '
Christian Coalition's self-description: "Christian Voter Guide is a clearing-house for traditional, pro-family voter guides. We do not create voter guides, nor do we interview or endorse candidates."
Source: Christian Coalition Surve 18CC-12 on Jul 1, 2018
ICE performs vital functions that protect American families.
Heller signed Press release from 19 Senators on Resolution to Support ICE
Nineteen U.S. Senators introduced a resolution denouncing the radical calls for the dissolution of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE performs vital functions that protect American families. Last year, agents worked tirelessly around the clock to rescue 1,422 victims of human trafficking. More than 900 of those victims were children. ICE agents also removed a million pounds of narcotics and more than 4,800 gang members from the streets of this country. Those numbers are just a small fraction of the nearly 127,000 arrests made by ICE agents last year against people who came here and committed violent crimes against law-abiding Americans. Those criminals were responsible for more than 50,000 assaults, 2,000 kidnappings and 1,800 homicides.
"I am deeply troubled by the Democrats' reckless calls to abolish ICE. Eliminating ICE shows a blatant disregard for the welfare of the American people and our nation's immigration laws," said
Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-LA). "With the ever present threat of MS-13 and international terrorism, along with an opioid crisis being fought at our border, abolishing ICE is unthinkable. ICE officers are in the trenches fighting those threats and protecting American families from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that endanger our families. ICE deserves our gratitude and respect, not scorn and ridicule."
"Washington Democrats wanting to abolish ICE, our country's immigration law enforcement agency, are essentially demanding open borders," said Sen. Cassidy (R-LA). "Assaults on ICE officers nearly tripled in 2017, so instead of attacking them, we should support them as they work to secure our borders, stop the flow of deadly drugs, break up violent gangs like MS-13, rescue human trafficking victims, and keep our communities safe."
Source: Press release from 19 Senators on Resolution to Support ICE 18LTR-ICE on Jul 12, 2018
Declare English as the official language of the US.
Heller co-sponsored declaring English as the official language of the US
This bill declares English as the official language of the United States, establishes a uniform English language rule for naturalization.
The United States is comprised of individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and continues to benefit from this rich diversity.
Throughout the history of the United States, the common thread binding individuals of differing backgrounds has been the
English language.
Federal Representatives of shall have an obligation to enhance the role of English as the official language of the Federal Government.
The official functions of the Government of the United States shall be conducted in English.
All citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the US.
All naturalization ceremonies shall be conducted in English.
Source: English Language Unity Act (H.R.997) 2007-HR997 on Feb 12, 2007