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A subset of House conservatives is circulating a Dear Colleague letter urging Republican leaders not to include a proposal in the defense authorization bill that would grant legal status to young undocumented immigrants in the military.

The letter, obtained by POLITICO Thursday, says the National Defense Authorization Act should focus on national security policy and not be used as a vehicle to advance anyones controversial immigration views.

The effort is led by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), one of the most vocal critics of immigration reform that would include a pathway to legal status or citizenship for current undocumented immigrants. It comes after Breitbart News reported an effort from Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) to include a legalization proposal for so-called Dreamers who serve in the military in the annual defense authorization bill.

(Also on POLITICO: Full defense policy coverage)

I oppose using the NDAA to push any immigration agenda, Brooks wrote in the letter asking colleagues to join his effort. That is why I ask you to sign a letter to House leadership informing them that you oppose using the NDAA to push an immigration agenda of any kind.

If immigration legislation is addressed by the House, it should be done so via the proper process, not by attaching it to must pass legislation, the letter continues.

Denham has been a vocal backer of allowing young undocumented immigrants to eventually obtain legal status through military service. He drafted the so-called ENLIST Act which stands for Encourage New Legalized Immigrants to Start Training that allows immigrants who came here illegally before the age of 15 and who are able to enlist in the military to qualify for permanent residency in the United States.

Despite the fierce pushback from the hard-right lawmakers in the House Republican Conference over Denhams push, the policy itself is generally non-controversial. Denhams legislation currently has 42 co-sponsors, including pro-reform Republicans such as Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Devin Nunes of California, as well as conservatives in the conference like South Carolina Reps. Trey Gowdy and Mick Mulvaney.

Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), the House Armed Services Committee chairman who would oversee the NDAA process, also is a co-sponsor, as are 18 House Democrats. When asked Thursday if he had decided to include Denhams language in the NDAA, McKeon responded: Thats not how you do it. We have a process. We have subcommittee hearings. We write bills through the subcommittees. I dont put something in a bill.

Furthermore, the House Republican leaderships list of standards for immigration reform, released in January, endorses a chance for legal status and citizenship for children who were brought illegally into the United States by their parents if they meet certain qualifications, as well as serve in the military or get a college degree.

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Conservatives: No immigration in defense bill