Tancredo says it would help terrorists hide in the United States.

"Senator Bennett's amendment is as much about soup kitchens as it is about terrorist groups," Tancredo said in a statement. By repealing the language, Tancredo said he seeks to ensure that churches, mosques or other religious groups are not "a safe haven for terrorism in America."

Bennett has said he included the exemption for religious groups at the request of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The measure would not prevent immigration officials from apprehending immigrants or enforcing laws, Bennett said.

The exemption was signed into law last week by President Bush as part of an agriculture spending bill.

Bennett and Tancredo met Wednesday but made no commitments on an amendment.

LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills said the church, like many faiths, relies on volunteers to administer programs and the "narrow exception to the immigration act allows people of all faiths to fulfill their religious obligations.

"The law permits churches to use the volunteer services of their undocumented members by insulating the churches from criminal sanctions for doing so," he said.

Specifically, the provision states that it is not illegal for a religious organization to "encourage, invite, call, allow or enable an alien who is present in the United States to perform the vocation of minister or missionary" as long as the individual is not compensated beyond room, board, travel, medical assistance or living expenses.

Bennett consulted with the chairmen of the House and Senate judiciary committees and with the Department of Homeland Security before adding the exemption to the bill.

Tancredo's bill has a dozen cosponsors, including Rep. John Hostettler, chairman of the House Judiciary's Immigration Subcommittee.