Expanding Immigration Detention
The Senate has advanced a bill known as the Laken Riley Act, which aims to expand the federal government's mandate to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally. The bill passed with a vote of 84 to 9, with 31 Democrats joining all voting Republicans to clear a 60-vote threshold to begin debate.
The Laken Riley Act is named after a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant last year. The bill would expand mandatory detention to include noncitizens convicted of or charged with burglary, larceny, theft or shoplifting, as well as those who admit to committing those crimes.
The bill has received bipartisan support, with a growing number of Democrats announcing their plans to support the Republican-led measure. However, some Democrats have argued that the bill is merely political posturing.
The House first approved the legislation last year, but it stalled in the then-Democratic controlled Senate. This week, 48 House Democrats joined all voting Republicans to approve the measure, up from 37 who did so last year.
The Senate will now decide which, if any, amendments will be considered on the floor. Some Democrats who voted to proceed said they did so in order to offer changes to the legislation before deciding how they would vote on final passage.
14 Comments
dedus mopedus
Bipartisan support doesn’t mean it’s right—this is just a smokescreen for failed immigration policy.
ytkonos
We should be investing in solutions for better integration instead of focusing on more punitive measures.
lettlelenok
We can't ignore the voices of victims like Laken Riley. Her tragic story deserves to be acknowledged with action.
Marishka
This bill will further divide our communities and fuel anti-immigrant sentiments. Not what our country needs!
ytkonos
This bill will further divide our communities and fuel anti-immigrant sentiments. Not what our country needs!
Pupsik
Expanding detention is not the solution! This is just another form of scapegoating immigrants for crime rates.
dedus mopedus
crime is crime, irrespective of immigration status.
ytkonos
There’s a clear link between crime and immigration status for certain offenders. This bill addresses that.
lettlelenok
So we’re blaming all undocumented immigrants for the actions of a few? This is shameful and unjust.
ytkonos
Mandatory detention is inhumane. We are punishing families and individuals who are already vulnerable.
Bella Ciao
The real losers here are the immigrant communities who already face enough challenges without this burden.
ZmeeLove
So much for being a nation of immigrants. This bill contradicts our values and is a step backwards.
Leonardo
We need to stand up for law-abiding citizens and protect them from individuals who are already breaking the law.
Donatello
As a citizen, I want to feel safe. This legislation is a step towards that goal. Let’s protect our communities!