Rep. Cravaack Amendment to Keep Violent Illegal Aliens in Detention Passes in the House

An amendment to the 2012 Homeland Security spending bill offered by Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.) passed in the House on Thursday by a margin of 289-to-131. Rep. Cravaack’s amendment ensures that no funds from the bill prevent the enforcement of existing federal law that requires the detention of illegal alien violent criminals awaiting deportation.

Section 236 (c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires the detention of illegal aliens who are violent criminals awaiting deportation. Rep. Cravaack’s amendment ensures that no funds in the Homeland Security spending bill contravene the existing federal law.

Republicans in the House unanimously voted in favor of the amendment. Democrats were divided with 55 voting in favor of the amendment and 131 opposing.