May 15, 2019

Accomplishments For Immigrants

Protecting Immigrants & Immigrants' Rights

As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and Congressional Vietnam Caucus, I am proud to represent all the voices of the 46th District. Immigrants are the backbone of our country, and I am committed to working in Congress to improve the lives of my constituents. After hearing of people being held at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) because of the Administration’s travel ban, I immediately rushed to the airport to make sure people were treated with respect and released safely. I have also held seven Town Halls with immigration experts and lawyers, and held a Citizenship Day. Additionally, I asked a Santa Ana DREAMer to join me at the State of the Union to highlight the importance of protecting these young individuals and to celebrate their accomplishments. I have worked hard this year to protect our immigrant families, and we need to educate ourselves in order to be ready for the future. Thousands of young men and women and families are potentially at risk with the Administration’s actions against immigrant communities. It is vital to know your rights and know where to seek help. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to fight for DACA to safeguard our young men and women from deportation and push for comprehensive immigration reform.

Congressman Correa has sponsored and co-sponsored the following legislation:

H.R.858 — DREAMers, Immigrants, and Refugees (DIRe) Legal Aid Act:Provides funds to nonprofits that provide legal services to immigrants and refugees at imminent risk of deportation.  

H.R. 3440 — Dream Act of 2017:To authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain individuals who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children and provide a pathway to citizenship.

H.R.60 — ENLIST Act:Provides Legal Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) to undocumented immigrants who complete a term in the United States Armed Services, and meet program requirements.

H.R.532 — DREAMer Information Protection Act:Prevents information provided by DACA applicants to DHS from being used for enforcement proceedings. 

H.R.748 — Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act of 2017:Protects Sanctuary Cities from having federal funds reduced for refusing to comply with federal immigration enforcement laws.

H.R.837 — Build Bridges Not Walls Act:Prevents executive orders or other Presidential action from using taxpayer dollars or fees to construct a continuous fence or wall on the United States-Mexico border.

H.R.1405 — The Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2017:Allows noncitizen veterans, whether deported or current residents, to adjust their status to a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence.  

H.R.1446 — No State Resources for Immigration Enforcement (NSRIE) Act:Prevents the Department of Homeland Security from entering into an agreement with a state that allows officers and employees of that state to operate as an immigration officer.

H.R.724 — Statue of Liberty Values (SOLVE) Act of 2017:Executive Order 13769, entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," is null and void, shall have no force and effect.

H.R.1503 — SOLVE Act 2.0 of 2017:Executive Order 13780, entitled "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," is null and void, shall have no force and effect, and may not be implemented or enforced. 

H.R. 392—Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017:This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) eliminate the per country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, and (2) increase the per country numerical limitation for family based immigrants from 7% to 15% of the total number of family-sponsored visas.

H.R. 904 — Buy American Improvement Act of 2017: This bill amends the Buy American Act and federal grant programs to: (1) standardize guidelines for federal agencies to waive Buy American requirements for their construction contracts and direct purchases of materials for public buildings, uses, or works; and (2) extend domestic content requirements to additional grant programs that federal agencies administer to fund states and other entities carrying out transportation and infrastructure projects.

HR 1608 — ICE and CBP Body Camera Accountability Act: This bill would requireU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that ICE and CBP agents and officers wear body cameras when engaged in official operations.

HR 1815 — Protecting Sensitive Locations Act: This bill would limit immigration enforcement actions at sensitive locations, to clarify the powers of immigration officers at sensitive locations.

H.R. 2073To amend section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit immigration officers or agents of the Department of Homeland Security from wearing clothing or other items bearing the word "police".

H.R. 2572 — Protect Family Values at the Border Act: Require theDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) consider safety and family concerns in any action related to the repatriation or prosecution of individuals apprehended for immigration violations, and (2) provide related training for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and cooperating entity personnel. DHS, with certain exceptions, shall certify every 180 days that it has deported or otherwise removed an apprehended individual from the United States through an entry or exit point on the southern border only during daylight hours.

H.R. 2690 — Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017:To improve agricultural job opportunities, benefits, and security for immigrants in the United States.

H.R. 2760 — Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System (I-VETS) Act: Requires the Department of Homeland Security to identify and track individuals, when they apply for an immigration benefit or are placed in an immigration enforcement proceeding, who are serving, or have served, as a member of a regular or reserve component of the Armed Forces on active duty or as a member of a reserve component in an active status. 

H.R. 2761 — Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile (HOPE) Act: This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to parole into the United States an alien veteran who is seeking temporary admission to receive health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and resides permanently abroad after having been removed or voluntarily departed from the United States.

H.R. 3103 — To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly conduct a study and submit a report on deported veterans.

H.R. 3563 — Veterans' Pathway to Citizenship Act of 2017: To recognize the service of veterans of the armed forces by providing a more navigable and accommodating pathway for veterans honorably discharged from the United States military to naturalize and seek citizenship.

H.R. 3591 — American Hope Act of 2017: This bill would allow a state to extend higher-education benefits to state residents regardless of whether they are lawfully present in the United States. 

H. RES. 448— Recognizing the accomplishments and the contributions of Vietnamese Americans. 

H. RES. 492Expressing concern for the separation of Jose Escobar from his wife and children as a result of his deportation, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3354  — FY 2018 Minibus Appropriations 

  • Amendment to prevent the Department of Justice from rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program.
  • Prohibits any funds from being used to deport those protected under the DACA program.
  • Prohibits funding to be used for the deportation of individuals granted deferred action under DACA.

Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution:To recognize the contributions of Latinos in the U.S.   

Congressman Correa has authored the following letters: 

To Kevin McAleenan, Acting Commissioner of US Customs and Border Enforcement: This letter lists specific questions regarding the implementation of Trump’s executive orders on immigration, with specific regard to constituents detained at LAX.

To Thomas Homan, Acting Director, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement: This letter asks for information regarding the changing status of inmates detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to the contract termination between ICE and the Santa Ana City Jail. 

To Thomas Homan, Acting Director, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement: This letter requests a prompt response to several questions regarding ICE Actions in Southern California, mostly detailing the agency’s process and information about the family status of detainees.  

Congressman Correa has signed onto the following letters: 

To Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly: This letter expresses concern over Executive Order 13769 and condemns it. It also requests an immediate meeting with the Secretary for clarification and discussion on the implementation of the order.

To the Eastern District Court of New York: This letter requests that the Court challenges the Muslim ban established by President Trump’s executive orders. 

To Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly: This letter seeks to obtain information about the Department of Homeland Security’s plans to implement the immigration executive orders.

To Kevin McAleenan, Acting Commissioner, US Customs and Border Protection: This letter requests a meeting regarding the planned implementation of President Trump’s executive orders.  

To Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly and Attorney General Jeff Sessions: This letter opposes the Trump Administration efforts to threaten and punish states and cities that employ lawful actions to protect immigrant communities.  

To David Marin, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations: This letter calls for the halt of the planned deportation of Romulo Avelica Gonzalez and his immediate return to Los Angles, where he has lived for 30 years and now resides with his wife and two daughters. 

To President Trump: This letter urges the President to end support for private detention centers.

To Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Elaine Duke: This letter expresses concerns about ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  

To President Trump: This letter urges the President to grant Temporary Protected Status to foreign nationals in the U.S. affected by Hurricane Irma.