Republicans in House Get Boos After Vote To End Deportation Exception [Video]

Republicans in the US House of Representatives successfully voted to strip the DREAM Act of a key amendment Thursday, garnering a hail of boos from House Democrats.

The controversial Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an Obama lead initiative which allows for a relaxed deportation policy for individuals brought into the United States illegally as children, was at the center of the vote.

The program allows people currently aged 30 and under, who were brought to the US illegally at age 16 or younger, to defer mandatory deportation for two years. This exception is only allowed given the individual is proven to be no security threat and has either been successful as a student or has served in the military.

Thursday an amendment, which defunds this program, was introduced by House Republican Steve King of Iowa and passed with a vote of 224 to 201. All but six Republicans were reported to have voted in favor of the measure.

Rep. Steve King has developed a reputation as a hardliner against attempts at relaxing immigration laws. He was reported saying of the Thursday amendment:

“My amendment blocks many of the provisions that are mirrored in the Senate’s ‘Gang of Eight’ bill. If this position holds, no amnesty will reach the President’s desk.”

This controversial move comes on the heels of an on going battle in Washington over immigration reform. Partisan divisions and disagreement continue to surround reform attempts in Congress.

With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the US, President Obama and many Democrats have made it clear that this is an issue near the fore of their agenda.

Republicans in the House may have a short lived victory, however. As the bill moves to the Senate, Democrats are confident that their majority will be able to keep it from becoming law.

Below you can see video of Republicans being booed in the House of Representatives Thursday after successfully pushing through Rep. King’s amendment:

http://youtu.be/G95F0D5Kd3o

[Image via ShutterStock]