Hearing Advisory: Oversight to Examine Impact of Obama’s Immigration Executive Actions on Elections

The House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules will hold a jointhearing entitled, “The President’s Executive Actions on Immigration and Their Impact on Federal and State Elections” on  Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. The hearing will examine how President Obama’s executive actions on immigration may impact federal and state elections, including the issuance of Social Security Numbers and drivers’ licenses to individuals covered by the action.

HEARING DETAILS:

WHAT:        “The President’s Executive Actions on Immigration and Their Impact on Federal and State Elections”

                        Subcommittee on National Security, Chairman Ron DeSantis (R-FL)

                        Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules, Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH)

WHERE:     Oversight and Government Reform Hearing Room

                        Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2154 

DATE:          Thursday, February 12, 2015

TIME:           2:00 p.m. EST

WITNESS LIST:

The Honorable Kris W. Kobach

Kansas Secretary of State

The Honorable Jon A. Husted

Ohio Secretary of State

The Honorable Matthew Dunlap

Maine Secretary of State

Hans A. von Spakovsky

Senior Legal Fellow

Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, The Heritage Foundation

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

∙             On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive actions on immigration.

∙             In part, the President expands deferred action programs, granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.

∙             Through these programs, those granted amnesty will be able to obtain Social Security numbers and driver’s licenses, dramatically increasing the risk that they may illegally register to vote.

∙             Concerns have been raised that President’s executive actions will undermine the integrity of local, state, and federal elections.

∙             For example, In a January 27, 2015 letter to President Obama, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted wrote that “the recent executive actions could jeopardize [voter registration rolls’] integrity by making it easier for people who are not U.S. citizens to illegally register and cast ballots.”

∙             At the hearing, the Subcommittees on National Security and Health Care, Benefits & Administrative Rules will hear from state Secretaries of State, including Secretary of State Husted, about the short- and long-term consequences of the President’s executive actions on elections.