House Passes King Immigration Amendment

Washington, DC- Congressman Steve King released the following statement after his amendment restricting funding for administrative amnesty to illegal immigrants was attached to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act passed last night. The amendment, co-sponsored by Congressman Lou Barletta, (R-PA) cuts off administrative amnesty funds made available for the lenient immigration polices outlined in three memos released in 2011 from John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Taxpayer dollars will no longer fund the President's efforts to continue to ignore immigration laws.

"It is irresponsible for ICE to prioritize the deportation and prosecution of illegal aliens based on the Morton Memo criteria." said King. "It is not the government's job to pick and choose which illegal aliens are most fit for deportation. Collectively, these memos are a picture-perfect example of how the President has been using administrative amnesty to get around Congress on immigration issues. The Administration and ICE are continually eroding the Rule of Law when it comes to immigration. The administration has directed law enforcement officials to provide amnesty to illegal aliens unless they pose a threat to the President's reelection. This amendment will begin to reverse the damage already done while setting our nation back on the right path. "

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