Conservatives Call Immigration Provision a Severe Threat to Defense Bill

House conservatives are trying to stoke opposition to pro-immigration measures in a must-pass defense policy bill headed to the floor next week.
At issue is a provision in the sprawling National Defense Authorization Act that would encourage the Pentagon to consider allowing young immigrants protected by a 2012 Obama administration initiative to serve in the U.S. military.
The immigration measure, sponsored by Rep. Ruben Gallego, was included in the NDAA on a 33-30 vote last week in committee.
In a new letter from Rep. Mo Brooks, signed by two dozen other House Republicans, conservatives are pushing House leadership to strip that provision out — calling it a “severe threat” to the prospects of passing the NDAA.