Moolenaar Amendment to Help Chaldeans Approved By House Appropriations Committee

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar offered an amendment expressing concern about the detention of Chaldean Christians by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Congressman Moolenaar spoke on his amendment and it was approved by the House Appropriations Committee during today's debate on legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security.

The amendment reads as follows:

"The Committee notes with concern the detention of members of religious minorities from Iraq, particularly the Iraqi Chaldean Christian community, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation. Congress and the Department of State have recognized that a genocide has been committed against Chaldeans and other religious minorities in Iraq. The Committee recommends that ICE refrain from prioritizing the deportation of people who will be subject to violent persecution and death in their countries of origin."

Congressman Moolenaar made the following statement on his amendment:

"The State Department has concluded that religious minorities in Iraq, including Chaldean Christians, face a genocide in that country. We have a terrific Chaldean community in Michigan. I hope ICE will not deport Chaldeans in the United States to a country where they will face violent persecution for their faith."

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