The Senate made a significant move on Thursday by advancing the Laken Riley Act, a bill that aims to expand the federal government’s authority to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally. This legislation, which passed with a vote of 84 to 9, marks the first policy action of the new Congress. It received bipartisan support in the House earlier in the week.
The bill, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically murdered by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, seeks to enhance the detention of noncitizens who have committed certain crimes. The convicted murderer, Jose Ibarra, was found guilty of murder and other charges related to Riley’s death.
Currently, the Department of Homeland Security is required to detain noncitizens convicted of “aggravated felonies,” such as murder and sexual assault. The Laken Riley Act would expand this mandate to include noncitizens convicted of or charged with burglary, larceny, theft, or shoplifting, as well as those who admit to these crimes.
One of the key questions surrounding this legislation is whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would have the resources to enforce the new detention mandate. With ICE currently utilizing almost all of the detention beds funded by Congress, there are concerns about the agency’s capacity to implement this expanded policy.
In addition to the detention provisions, the bill also grants state attorneys general the authority to sue the federal government if they believe their states or residents have been adversely affected by immigration policies. This empowers states to take legal action against the federal government in response to immigration-related issues.
Several Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman, Ruben Gallego, and Elissa Slotkin, have announced their support for the bill, indicating a growing bipartisan consensus on the issue. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his backing for advancing the legislation, emphasizing the importance of engaging in a robust debate and offering potential amendments to the bill.
The House initially approved the Laken Riley Act last year, but it faced obstacles in the Senate, which was controlled by Democrats at the time. However, with the shift in control following the recent election, more Democrats have shown openness to supporting the legislation. Senator John Barrasso, the new majority whip, highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill and urged his colleagues to move forward with its passage.
Despite some pushback from Democrats who view the bill as political posturing, there is a growing consensus in Congress around the need to address immigration enforcement and public safety concerns. The Laken Riley Act represents a significant step in this direction, as lawmakers work to strengthen immigration policies and protect communities from criminal activities perpetrated by noncitizens.
As the Senate continues to debate the bill and consider potential amendments, the focus remains on finding solutions that balance the need for immigration enforcement with respect for civil liberties and due process. The outcome of this legislative process will have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of immigration laws and the protection of public safety in the United States.
Camilo Montoya-Galvez contributed to this report.
Kaia Hubbard is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
