Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has joined the Laken Riley Act as its second Democratic co-sponsor. This legislation is scheduled for a Senate floor vote following its approval in the House earlier this week. The Act proposes that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested for crimes such as theft, burglary, or shoplifting until their deportation can be carried out. Furthermore, it would enable states to pursue civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

Gallego expressed the importance of addressing the consequences of the ongoing border crisis, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to act against illegal activities. He reiterated his commitment to improving Arizona's public safety through comprehensive immigration reform and bolstered border security measures. The bill was reintroduced by Representative Mike Collins in the House and Senator Katie Britt in the Senate, gaining momentum since being first introduced last year.

The bill takes its name from Laken Riley, a nursing student whose tragic death at the University of Georgia was tied to a crime committed by an undocumented immigrant. In response to Gallego's support, Senator Britt praised the bipartisan nature of the legislation, encouraging all senators to endorse it. While the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, the bill's progression will depend on securing support from a few Democrats, most notably from Georgia, where the deceased was a resident. Senator Jon Ossoff's decision on the bill will be closely monitored due to his upcoming re-election campaign.