WASHINGTON–On Wednesday, House Republicans voted to block President Obama’s efforts on immigration reform and end a program that has deferred deportation for 500,000 immigrants called “dreamers.” The restrictions were attached to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, due to run out of money in a month.

The 236-191 vote was seen as pushback against the president’s strategies and threatens to temporarily close the department. It is uncertain whether the legislation will pass in the Senate as s conservatives worry about using DHS as leverage in the immigration debate.

The package was passed after a heated floor debate. Democrats charged the GOP with being antl-immigrant and breaking up families. Republicans countered with the argument that their actions were on behalf of Americans who wished to curb presidential overreach.

If the legislation passes in the Senate, and is vetoed by Obama, the Department of Homeland Security may need to close. The immigration restrictions are attached to the department’s $39.7-billion annual funding bill.

Ten Republicans opposed the GOP in favor of moderation while two Democrats joined their efforts.The president has threatened to veto the legislation, giving it little chance of becoming law.

Administration officials blasted Republican actions as contributing to weakened border security and confused border enforcement policies.

“You’re not distinguishing between people among the 11 million who were brought here as children and have grown up in this country and have known no other country and people who have been convicted of serious crimes,” said Cecilia Munoz, the Domestic Policy Advisor Director.

The White House noted that the stopgap funding measure currently in place was holding up implementation of White House security upgrades.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske argued for the president’s actions.

“If we’re going to be effective … we not only need that budget, we needed to have an immigration system that was broken fixed. And that’s what the president’s actions do,” he said.

But rank-and-file Republicans said any funding interruptions should be blamed on the president.

“If Homeland Security shuts down, it’s because the president vetoes the budget because he can’t get his amnesty for illegal aliens,” said Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.), a former prosecutor.

The Republicans withheld Homeland Security funding last year in response to Obama’s actions on immigration. Boehner began work early in the year to achieve a compromise that would sate his conservative members.

Both sides hope for compromise before the deadline.