House panel would deny immigration benefits to Guantanamo detainees

House panel would deny benefits to detainees

WASHINGTON — A key House panel has voted to deny immigration benefits to Guantanamo Bay detainees who might be released into the U.S. after being brought in for trial.

The Republican plan is aimed at making doubly sure that accused terrorists who are ordered released by federal judges would be denied residence in the United States. The Appropriations Committee approved the measure on a 34-24 vote as part of a homeland security funding bill that’s up for a floor vote next week.

The plan also requires threat assessments of any detainee who is brought into the U.S. for trial.

It’s the latest in a series of votes by lawmakers seeking to keep Guantanamo detainees out of the country, though the panel made sure to reflect that bringing detainees in for their trials is all right.