Immigration
Congressman Bilirakis strongly opposes illegal immigration but, as a grandchild of Greek immigrants, he recognizes the cultural, intellectual, and economic benefit of legal, law-abiding immigrants. He does not believe we should provide amnesty or reward those who have broken our nation’s immigration laws. Doing so simply encourages continued law-breaking and greater illegal immigration in the future. He knows that effective immigration control requires strong border enforcement and visa enforcement – nearly half of all illegal immigrants are visa overstays, not individuals who cross the border. Bilirakis recognizes the need to eliminate the incentives that encourage individuals to come here illegally, by reforming immigration process in such a way that rewards legal immigration and punishes those who break the law.
Bilirakis introduced the Student Visa Security Improvement Act, which would ensure the United States properly vets potential students before they are granted visas for admission and would ensure they abide by the terms of that visa. Gus also has cosponsored legislation to prevent states from issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, eliminate the visa lottery, and clarify that the Administration should rigorously enforce current immigration laws.
More on Immigration
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court decision on the expanded DACA and DAPA programs:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), released the following statement on funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the President’s Executive Action on immigration:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), released the following statement on funding the Department of Homeland Security and the President’s Executive Action on immigration:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) released the following statement on the President’s State of the Union Address:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), today released the following statement following his votes in favor of five amendments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations legislation to stop the President’s Executive Action on immigration.
A Florida congressman wants to amend the Internal Revenue code to close a loophole being exploited by illegal immigrants.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., is looking to ensure illegal immigrants are not able to receive federal tax refunds using the child tax credit. Bilirakis showcased the “Stop Handouts to Unauthorized Taxpayers (SHUT) Act” on Friday.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced H.R. 192, the Stop Handouts to Unauthorized Taxpayers (SHUT) Act, which would require any individual who receives the refundable portion of the child tax credit to demonstrate their legal employment in the United States by providing a Social Security Number or proof of lawful residence on their tax return.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s decision to move forward with Executive Action on immigration:
“As a second generation Greek American, I have a firsthand understanding of the importance and power of the American dream, as well as the sensitivity and passion surrounding immigration reform. There is no doubt our immigration system is broken, but President Obama cannot act unilaterally and refuse to work with Congress. In the President’s own words: ‘That’s not how our democracy functions.’
Gus Bilirakis: Student visas and the domestic terror threat
Across the United States, nearly 58,000 foreign students have outstayed their student visas in just the past year alone. Of those 58,000, over 6,000 are now unaccounted for by the Department of Homeland Security.
These gaps in the student visa system pose serious security threats to the United States and exploit the laws that allow for legitimate academic and cultural visitors, which I support.