Vexed by problems within the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the House Judiciary Immigration and Claims Subcommittee voted Thursday to strip the agency of its enforcement powers, the Associated Press reported.
By voice vote, the panel approved a bill that would create a new Bureau of Enforcement and Border Affairs to handle the policing of the nation's borders and its immigration laws.
The INS would retain the service mission it already performs: doling out benefits such as citizenship and work permits.
The administration and subcommittee Democrats offered a plan that would have kept INS' enforcement and service missions under the same roof, under separate chains of command. The proposal was rejected by voice vote.
"I don't think there is any question about the fact all of us believe some restructuring is appropriate," said subcommittee ranking member Melvin Watt, D-N.C. "The question is what restructuring makes sense."
Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Spencer Abraham, R-Mich., has indicated he is not seriously considering an INS overhaul before next year.
NEXT STORY: Space station survives House vote