Sen. Allen has taken no action to reduce
the level of chain migration and the lottery.

Major Numbers in All Categories top

Voted on Senate floor against amendment to kill border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against the Manager's Amendment (SA 4188), offered by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Manager's Amendment made many minor changes to S. 2611, none of have significant numeric impacts on the overall bill. However, the Manager's Amendment included a provision that requires consultation with the government of Mexico concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the international border between the United States and Mexico. This would virtually guarantee that the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border would never be completed. The Manager's Amendment passed by a vote of 56 to 41 to 1 (the 1 denotes a "present" vote).

Voted against bill to increase immigration and grant amnesty to illegal aliens in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against final passage of S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. S. 2611 would dramatically change most occupations and communities in America with the largest movement of foreign workers in world history. Specifically, S. 2611 would: reward approximately 10.2 million illegal aliens with an amnesty allowing them to permanently take American jobs and become U.S. citizens; entice millions more foreign workers to illegally enter our communities, crowd the housing and schools, take the jobs and depress the wages because they reasonably can believe they eventually will be given an amnesty, too; double legal immigration from 1 million to 2 million a year; give out permanent green cards to up to 66 million foreign workers and dependents over the next 20 years. The main difference in terms of numbers between the final version of S. 2611 and the version of the bill when the cloture motion was invoked was that the Bingaman Amendment to cap the number of employment-based visas for workers, spouses and children at 650,000 was adopted after cloture but before final passage. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation estimates that the Bingaman Amendment would reduce employment-based visas available under S. 2611 by about 150,000 a year. S. 2611 passed by a vote of 62 to 36.

Voted against motion to invoke cloture on S. 2611 to increase overall immigration numbers and reward illegal aliens with amnesty in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against a motion to invoke cloture on S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The motion to invoke cloture was a procedural move to ends debate on S. 2611. If the motion had been rejected by at least 40 Senators, Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R-TN) would have had to choose between continued debate on S. 2611 and moving on to other legislative business. If the motion had failed, Sen. Frist was expected to move on to other legislative business, thus effectively killing the bill. S. 2611 provides an indirect path to citizenship for illegal aliens. S. 2611 also provides for major increases in temporary worker visas and permanent immigrant visas. It provides for at least an additional 100,000 H-1B visas annually; an additional 325,000 new guestworker visas (H-5A/H-2C visas); a one-time-only permanent increase of 310,660. In addition, the S. 2611 includes amnesty for an estimated 10.2 million illegal aliens (about 6.7 million illegal alien workers and 3.5 million illegal alien spouses and/or children). The cloture motion passed by a vote of 73 to 25.

Voted against motion to invoke cloture on bill to increase overall immigration numbers and reward illegal aliens with amnesty in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against a motion to invoke cloture on SA 3424, a "compromise amnesty" proposal by Sens. Hagel (R-NE) and Martinez (R-FL). The purpose of voting against allowing a final vote on this proposal varied from Senator to Senator, with many of them favoring the proposal but not willing to bring it up without a lot of votes on amendments. At the least, those voting against cloture were insisting on a chance for opponents of the bill to make their case with amendments. The Hagel-Martinez proposal was put forth as an alternative to the Senate Judiciary Committee-passed amnesty proposal. The Hagel-Martinez proposal differs from the Judiciary Committee proposal in that it provides an indirect path to citizenship for illegal aliens as opposed to the direct path outlined in the Judiciary Committee proposal. It only allows illegal aliens who have been in the country for more than 5 years to stay in the United States and adjust to legal status. Those who have been here less than 5 years but more than two years would be required to exit the country and return through the a land port of entry with a visa. Over time, qualified individuals would have the chance to become citizens. The Hagel-Martinez compromise also provides for major increases in temporary worker visas and permanent immigrant visas. It provides for at least an additional 100,000 H-1B visas annually; an additional 325,000 new guestworker visas (H-5A/H-2C visas); a one-time-only permanent increase of 310,660; and a total annual increase in permanent immigrant visas of at least 1,154,700. In addition, the Hagel-Martinez compromise includes amnesty for an estimated 10.2 million illegal aliens (about 6.7 million illegal alien workers and 3.5 million illegal aliens spouses and/or children). The cloture motion failed by a vote of 38 to 60.

Importing Specific Foreign Workers top

Cosponsored legislation to increase H-2B workers who are present in the U.S. at any one time in 2006

Sen. Allen cosponsored S. 2284, the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2006, to amend the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 to extend for three years an exemption for any H-2B alien who has been counted against the 66,000-visa cap during any of the three previous three fiscal years. H-2B visas are issued to "temporary" or "seasonal" low-skill workers. S. 2284 would have ultimately harmed American workers by creating exemptions which potentially could triple the number of H-2B workers in the U.S. at any given time.

Cosponsored bill to increase high-tech foreign-worker importation in 2006

Sen. Allen cosponsor edof S. 2691, the Securing Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Act of 2006 (SKIL Act). The SKIL Act would have increased the annual H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000 in the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment and then increase the cap by 20 percent in any fiscal year following a year in which employers used all available visas. As well, H.R. 5744 would have exempted from the annual cap on H-1B visas aliens: who work at a nonprofit organization; who hold a graduate degree from an institution of higher education in a foreign country (up to 20,000 exempted per year); who have earned an advanced degree from a U.S. institution of higher education; or who have been awarded medical specialty certification based on post-doctoral training and experience in the United States. The SKIL Act would have increased the annual worldwide level of employment-based (EB) immigrants by 150,000 and exempted the spouses and minor children of EB immigrants, along with certain other aliens, from that cap. The SKIL Act would have facilitated a path to permanent residency and employment for L-1 visa holders by requiring DHS to extend the authorized stay of an L-1 nonimmigrant who has an application for LPR status pending. The SKIL Act would have expanded eligibility for F student visas to include any student qualified to pursue a full course of study in mathematics, engineering, technology, or the sciences leading to a bachelor’s or graduate degree. The result of the SKIL Act would have been to further depress the wages of Americans working in high-tech and scientific fields and to cause additional job displacement for those workers.

Voted in favor of amendment to cap employment-based visas in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Bingaman Amendment (SA 4131) to to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Bingaman Amendment would cap the number of employment-based visas for workers, spouses and children at 650,000. Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation estimates that the Bingaman Amendment would reduce employment-based visas available under S. 2611 by about 150,000 a year. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote of 51 to 47.

Voted in favor of amendment to limit proposed guestworker program in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Dorgan Amendment (SA 4095) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Dorgan Amendment would have prohibited the issuance of new H-2C "guestworker" visas after five years, but authorized DHS to continue to extend the authorized stay of an H-2C alien after that date. This would have reduced the number of new guestworkers under S. 2611 from two million to one million (200,000 per year for five years instead of 10 years). The Dorgan Amendment failed by a vote of 48 to 49.

Voted in favor of amendment to create additional guestworker visa categories in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Hutchison Amendment (SA 4101) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Hutchison Amendment would require the State Department to grant a Secure Authorized Foreign Employee (SAFE) visa to a national of a NAFTA or CAFTA nation who meets specified requirements. The "E" visa is already a visa for treaty-trader countries, thus the Hutchison Amendment would have just created more unnecessary "guestworker" categories. The Hutchison Amendment failed by a vote of 31 to 67.

Voted against killing amendment to prevent guestworkers from getting greencards in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against a motion to table the Kyl amdendment (SA 3969) to S. 2611. The Kyl amendment would have removed provisions allowing guestworkers admitted under S. 2611 to adjust status to that of lawful permanent resident on the basis of their status as a guestworker. This would have prevented 200,000 guestworkers a year from gaining greencards, resulting in 2 million less greencards over a decade. The motion to table the Kyl amendment passed by a vote of 58 to 35, effectively killing the amendment.

Voted on Senate floor in favor of amendment to postpone guestworker-amnesty program until borders secured in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Cornyn Amendment (SA 3691, proposed for Sen. Isakson) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Cornyn Amendment would prohibit DHS from implementing any guestworker program or granting amnesty as proposed by the bill unless the agency has certified that this bill’s border security measures and increases in Federal detention space have been completed and are fully operational. The Cornyn Amendment failed by a vote of 40-55.

Voted on Senate floor to kill amendment to strike guestworker provisions from immigration bill 2006

Sen. Allen voted for a motion to table the Dorgan Amendment (SA 4017) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Dorgan amendment would have stricken the guestworker provisions of the bill that would add an estimated 8.4 million foreign workers and their dependents over the next ten years (according to a May, 2006 study by the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector). The motion to table passed by a voted of 68 to 29, effectively killing the Dorgan amendment.

Voted on Senate floor against killing amendment to cap guestworker visas in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against a motion to table the Bingaman Amendment (SA 3981) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . This was a procedural move to terminate further discussion of the amendment. The Bingaman amendment (submitted by Sen. Bingaman for himself and Sen. Feinstein) would cap the number of H-2C visas available annually for issuance at 200,000 and remove the 20% a year increase in annual guestworker visas. This would reduce the 10-year increase in foreign workers and their dependents from 8.4 million, as provided in the original bill, to two million. The motion to table the Bingaman amendment failed by a vote of 18 to 79 and the Bingaman amendment ultimately passed by voice vote.

Voted on Senate floor in favor amendment to increase worker protections in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Cornyn amendment (SA 3965) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Cornyn amendment (submitted for himself and Sen. Grassley) would offer modest protections for American workers from being displaced by a foreign worker by prohibiting H-2C visas for employers unless they attest that they will employ an alien in the offered job position and DHS certifies that there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to fill the position. The Cornyn amendment passed by a vote of 50 to 48.

Voted on Senate floor against amendment to weaken worker protections in 2006
Sen. Allen voted against the Kennedy amendment (SA 4066) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Kennedy amendment weakens Sen. Cornyn's amendment (SA 3965) by not requiring Federal certification of the employer's need to import foreign workers. The Kennedy amendment passed by a vote of 56 to 43.

Cosponsoring bill to increase foreign-worker importation in 2005-2006

Sen. Allen is a cosponsor of S. 2109, the National Innovation Act of 2005. S. 2109 would continue the H-1B program that every year imports additional high-tech workers as part of "comprehensive immigration reform." The H-1B program has been shown to harm American workers by depressing wages and displacing workers. As well, S. 2109 suggests that comprehensive reform must include provisions to "eliminate delays in processing immigration proceedings, including employment-based visa applications." This provision would do nothing but encourage the rubberstamping of applications, which is already happening because of the existing "backlog elimination" program and would promote and encourage fraud and corruption.

Voted against amendment to strip foreign-worker increase in 2005

Sen. Allen voted against the Byrd Amendment to S. 1932, the Budget Reconciliation bill. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), would have stripped ALL immigration increases from the Budget Reconciliation bill and replaced the increase with a provision to impose a $1,500 fee on employers who hire certain non-immigrants. The immigration increase was added to the Budget Reconciliation bill by the Senate Judiciary Committee as a result of an 14-2 vote in favor of an amendment introduced by Senator Arlen Specter. The Specter plan would increase permanent, employment-based immigration by nearly tripling the number of foreign workers who can enter the U.S. each year. As well, it exempts workers’ families from the 140,000-visa cap on employment-based immigration. It also raises the cap on employment-based permanent immigration by adding each year the lesser of 90,000 visas or any “unused” employment-based visas from any prior year. Altogether, these provisions could generate a net increase in permanent immigration of 366,000 aliens, or about one-third of current, annual legal immigration. Senator Byrd’s amendment was cosponsored by Sens. Sessions (R-AL) and Durbin (D-IL). It was also supported by the AFL-CIO. The Byrd Amendment failed by a vote of 14 to 85.

Voted in favor of amendment to increase foreign-worker importation in 2005

Sen. Allen voted in favor of S. Amdt. 387, an amendment offered by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), to H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005. The Mikulski amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act increased the number of H-2Bs who can enter and take jobs in the United States in the next two years and apportioned the H-2B visa cap so that visas will be available throughout the year. Specifically, the Mikulski Amendment would split the H-2B visa cap so no more than 33,000 visas are made available for the first six months the fiscal year, and another 33,000 visas would be available in the second half of the year. HOWEVER, the Mikulski Amendment exempts from the annual cap aliens granted an H-2B visa within three years prior to approval of an H-2B petition, thus potentially TRIPLING the number of H-2B workers in the United States at any one time. Although apportioning H-2B visas is a common-sense approach that will help prevent the situation that occurred in FY 2004 and FY2005 when the 66,000 annual cap on H-2B (low-skill) nonimmigrant visas was hit within the first quarter of the year, the Mikulski Amendment would ultimately harm American workers by creating exemptions which potentially could triple the number of H-2B workers in the U.S. at any given time. Fortunately, however, the increase is limited to two years, and the additional visas can go only to foreign workers who worked in this country legally during the last three years. The Amendment passed by a vote of 94 to 6.

Cosponsoring legislation to increase H-2B workers who are present in the U.S. at any one time in 2005-2006

Sen. Allen is a cosponsor of S. 352, the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2005, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit the timing of issuance of H-2B visas during a fiscal year. Specifically, S. 352 would split the H-2B visa cap so no more than 33,000 visas are made available for the first six months the fiscal year, and another 33,000 visas would be available in the second half of the year. HOWEVER, S. 352 exempts from the annual cap aliens granted an H-2B visa within three years prior to approval of an H-2B petition, thus potentially TRIPLING the number of H-2B workers in the United States at any one time. Although timing the issuance of H-2B visas is a common-sense approach that would help prevent the situation that occurred in FY 2004 and FY 2005 when the 66,000 annual cap on H-2B (low-skill) nonimmigrant visas was hit within the first quarter of the year, S. 352 would ultimately harm American workers by creating exemptions which potentially could triple the number of H-2B workers in the U.S. at any given time.

Cosponsored bill to import more low-skill, foreign workers in 2004

Sen. Allen cosponsored the Summer Operations and Services (SOS) Relief and Reform Act, S. 2258. Introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), S. 2258 said that any worker who was approved for an H-2B visa in the two years preceding the current year can get an H-2B visa this year, without regard for the cap. S. 2258 had the potential to triple, rather than just double, the cap of 66,000, because it could affect 66,000 from FY 2002 and 66,000 from FY 2003, plus the 66,000 already approved for 2004.

Citizenship for Illegal Alien Babies top

Sen. Allen has taken no action to reduce
the rewarding of illegal immigration by giving citizenship
to anchor babies.

Inviting / Repelling Illegal Aliens top

Voted in favor of border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of final passage of H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006. H.R. 6061: requires the Department of Homeland Security to construct 700 miles of reinforced fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides for the installation of additional physical barriers, roads, lighting, cameras, and sensors in five specified lengths (encompassing approximately 700 miles) along the United States’ southwestern border; requires DHS to study the necessity, feasibility, and economic impact of constructing a similar barrier along the U.S.-Canada border; enhances border infrastructure, including checkpoints, roads, and vehicle barriers; and requires DHS to achieve and maintain "operational control" of our borders within 18 months of enactment and require reports on the progress toward this goal. The Senate passed H.R. 6061 passed by a vote of 80 to 19.

Voted in favor of amendment to fund border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Sessions amendment to H.R. 5631, the Department of of Defense Appropriations bill for 2007. This was an amendment to appropriate $1.8 billion for the construction of border fencing and vehicle barriers along the southern border. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), would fund the fencing and barrier provisions proposed by S. 2611 which passed the Senate in late May. A fence is one of the most effective tools for preventing illegal migration. The Sessions Amendment passed by a voted 94-3.

	Voted against amendment to fund additional immigration investigators in 2006
	Sen. Allen voted against the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for 2007. This was an amendment to add about $86 million for 800 more staff to investigate immigration law violations, offset by reductions in other programs. The Sessions Amendment failed by a vote of 34 to 66.

Voted in favor of amendment to extend border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill for 2007. This was an amendment to add 370 miles of fence on the Southwest border paid for by $1.8 billion in offsets from other programs. A fence is one of the most effective tools for preventing illegal migration. This amendment would have funded the fence provided for in the Senate-passed bill (S. 2611). The Sessions Amendment failed by a vote of 29 to 71.

Voted on Senate floor against amendment to kill border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against the Manager's Amendment (SA 4188), offered by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Manager's Amendment made many minor changes to S. 2611, none of have significant numeric impacts on the overall bill. However, the Manager's Amendment included a provision that requires consultation with the government of Mexico concerning the construction of additional fencing and related border security structures along the international border between the United States and Mexico. This would virtually guarantee that the fence along the U.S.-Mexico border would never be completed. The Manager's Amendment passed by a vote of 56 to 41 to 1 (the 1 denotes a "present" vote).

Voted against amendment to make two million illegal aliens eligible for amnesty in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against the Feinstein Amendment (SA 4087) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Feinstein Amendment would have made an additional two million illegal aliens eligible for amnesty by replacing the bill's "earned legalization" amnesty and Deferred Mandatory Departure provisions with a one-tiered scheme in which all aliens illegally present in the United States on or before January 1, 2006, are granted amnesty and an "orange card" (instead of the normal "green card" that lawful permanent residents are issued) if they are otherwise admissible. The, after a 6-8 year period, orange card holders are allowed to adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident status if they pay a $2,000 fine. The Feinstein Amendment failed by a vote of 37 to 61.

Voted to authorize National Guard to assist in border patrol efforts in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Ensign Amendment (SA 4076) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006. The Ensign Amendment authorizes the Governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas - with Defense Department approval – to order their state's National Guard units or personnel to assist in border patrol efforts (with certain restrictions) along the United States' southern land border. Even though the National Guard would not be directly participating in the apprehension of illegal aliens, they would facilitate the work of the Border Patrol. The Ensign Amendment passed by a vote of 83-10.

Voted on Senate floor in favor amendment to create border fence in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Sessions amendment (SA 3979) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Sessions amendment requires DHS to construct at least 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers in other areas along the southwest border that DHS determines are areas that are most often used by smugglers and illegal aliens attempting to gain illegal entry, and requires that construction thereof be completed within two years. This physical barrier would help deter illegal entry into the United States. The Sessions amendment passed by a vote of 83 to 16.

Voted on Senate floor in favor amendment to remove amnesty provisions from immigration bill in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Vitter amendment (SA 3963) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . Sen. Vitter submitted the amendment for himself, Sens. Chambliss, Grassley, and Santorum. The Vitter amendment would remove provisions authorizing the “earned legalization” and “agricultural worker” amnesty schemes that would grant amnesty to an estimated 16 million illegal aliens and their families (according to a May, 2006 study by the Heritage Foundation’s Robert Rector). The Vitter amendment failed by a vote of 33 to 66.

Voted on Senate floor against killing amendment to prevent Social Security for illegal aliens in 2006

Sen. Allen voted against a motion to table the Ensign amendment (SA 3985) to S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 . The Ensign amendment (submitted for himself, Sen. Santorum, and Sen. Inhofe), would have prohibited the payment of Social Security benefits based on quarters of coverage earned by an individual who has not at some point had a valid Social Security number. This would have addressed part of the problem of aliens getting Social Security credit for work performed while they were illegally present in the United States (aliens who came in on temporary work visas, but overstayed their visas, would continue to get credit for all work performed, including after they became illegal). The motion to table the Ensign amendment passed by a vote of 50 to 49, effectively killing the amendment.

Voted in favor of amendment to increase funding for local and state law enforcement in 2006

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Bingamen Amendment to S. 2454. The Bingaman Amendment authorizes DHS to award grants to a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency located in a county within 100 miles of a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico, or in a county beyond 100 miles that has been certified by DHS as a "high impact area," to provide assistance in addressing: (1) criminal activity that occurs by virtue of proximity to the border; and (2) the Federal government's failure to adequately secure its borders. Authorizes appropriations of $50 million annually, for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, to implement this grant program. Although this amendment does not require the establishment of the grant program and caps the amount available for implementation of the program it could, potentially, bring these agencies more into the enforcement fold. The Bingaman Amendment passed by a vote of 84 to 6.

Voted in favor of amendment to increase detention beds for illegal aliens in 2005
Sen. Allen voted in favor of the McCain amendment (S. Amdt. 1171) to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The McCain amendment would have increased the number of detention beds in the United States consistent with the number authorized in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The McCain amendment failed by a vote of 42 to 56.

Voted in favor of amendment to provide funding for additional Border Patrol agents in 2005

Sen. Allen voted in favor of the Ensign Amendment (SA 1219) to H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. The Ensign Amendment transfers appropriated funds from the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the purpose of hiring 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents. The amendment failed by a vote of 38 to 60.

Voted against amnesty for agricultural workers in 2005

Sen. Allen voted against a procedural move requiring 60 votes to limit debate and ensure a vote on the AgJOBS amnesty amendment introduced by Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID). The Senate voted 53 to 45 not to invoke cloture, effectively keeping the amnesty off the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief. AgJOBS is an amnesty for agricultural workers. Of the 1.2 million illegal aliens currently working in agriculture, an estimated 860,000 plus their spouses and children could qualify for this amnesty, so the total could reach three million or more. The potential recipients of the amnesty would be required to prove 100 days of agricultural employment in the 18-month period that ended Aug. 31, 2004. Then, prior to receiving amnesty, workers would have to show 360 days of additional farm work over the next six years.

Voted against amendment to provide funding for additional Border Patrol and ICE agents in 2005

Sen. Allen voted against the Byrd Amendment (S. Amdt. 516) to H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief of 2005. The Byrd Amendment provides $390 million to hire 650 more border patrol agents, 250 new immigration investigators, and 168 new immigration enforcement agents and deportation officers. The Byrd amendment also provides funds for 2,000 additional detention beds as well as funding to train the new personnel. Passage of the Byrd Amendment sent a strong signal from the Senate in favor of increased Border Patrol and Interior Enforcement. The Byrd Amendment passed by a vote of 65 to 34.

Voted for comprehensive alien tracking and identification system in 2002

Sen. Allen voted in favor of H.R. 3525, the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001. H.R. 3525 will significantly reduce future population growth from illegal immigration by making it much harder for temporary visa holders to stay in the country illegally after their visa expire. H.R. 3525 provides for an entry-exit system in which every visa holder is checked with a biometric identifier when heshe enters and leaves the country. This information is included in an integrated database that is shared by the appropriate law-enforcement officials. H.R. 3525 passed the Senate unanimously by a vote of 97-0 and is expected to be signed into law by President Bush.