The Senate voted on Monday to pass a GOP-led bill that would mandate the detention of undocumented migrants who have been charged with certain crimes. The bill, known as the Laken Riley Act, received bipartisan support with a vote of 64 to 35.
The House is expected to approve the Senate-passed bill later this week, paving the way for it to be sent to the White House for final approval. This legislative move marks an early victory for President Trump and congressional Republicans, who prioritized this bill as the first of the new Congress.
Under the provisions of the bill, the Department of Homeland Security would be required to detain undocumented migrants who are in the US unlawfully or without legal status if they have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admitted to certain criminal offenses. These offenses include theft, burglary, assault on law enforcement officers, and crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
The Senate also approved amendments to expand the list of covered criminal offenses, responding to concerns over public safety and law enforcement protection. Notably, some Democrats joined their Republican counterparts in supporting the bill, signaling a shift within the party to address voter apprehensions regarding immigration in the wake of Trump's presidency.
With the bill's passage in the Senate and anticipated approval in the House, it is poised to become law once signed by the President. The Laken Riley Act represents a significant step in the ongoing national debate on immigration policy and enforcement.
