The Laken Riley Act Passes the Senate with Bipartisan Support
The Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal alien, passed the Senate on Monday night with a vote of 64 to 35. The bill requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal aliens charged with theft and gives states permission to sue federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.
Senator Katie Britt, who led the reintroduction of the bill in the Senate, stated on the Senate floor, "We are a proud nation of immigrants. We are also a nation of laws, and the lawlessness ends today."
The bill also includes two amendments. The first, known as Sarah's Law, expands the bill to prioritize the arrest of illegal aliens charged with crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. The second, introduced by Senator John Cornyn, requires the detainment of illegal aliens charged with assault on a law enforcement officer.
A dozen Democrats joined their Republican colleagues to pass the bill. The original bill without the amendments passed in the House on January 7th, and the amended bill will now go back to the lower chamber for a final vote of approval before being sent to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.
The Senate's passage of the bill came just hours after Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the U.S. Trump has pledged to sign executive orders to "declare a national emergency at our southern border" and "begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."
Trump signed border-related executive orders on his first day in office as a first step to fulfill his campaign promise to secure the border. Almost immediately after Trump took the oath of office, the CBP One app, a mobile application used under the Biden administration to parole illegal aliens into the U.S., stopped working.
Senator Josh Hawley stated, "President Trump has consistently expressed his commitment to stopping the flow of drugs and criminals invading communities across the country. Shutting down the CBP One app—Biden’s concierge service for illegal immigrants—was a huge step in the right direction."
Trump's border czar Tom Homan is expected to begin carrying out deportations of criminal illegal aliens as soon as this week.
17 Comments
Loubianka
The Laken Riley Act is a common-sense bill that will help to keep our communities safe. It will make it easier for law enforcement to arrest and detain dangerous criminals, and it will give states the power to hold the federal government accountable for enforcing immigration laws.
BuggaBoom
Why can't we focus on comprehensive immigration reform instead of criminalizing those seeking a better life?
Loubianka
Just because it passed the Senate doesn’t mean it represents the majority; many voices are opposed to this.
BuggaBoom
I believe in compassion for immigrants, but this act prioritizes public safety, which is crucial.
Katchuka
Why are we scapegoating immigrants for problems that are much more complex?
Africa
This bill will only create fear and distrust between communities and law enforcement.
ZmeeLove
The Laken Riley Act is consistent with President Trump's commitment to securing our borders and cracking down on illegal immigration. This bill is a step in the right direction, and it will help to make our country safer.
Comandante
The Laken Riley Act addresses real concerns about safety and accountability in our communities.
Bella Ciao
It's disappointing to see lawmakers prioritize headlines over humane solutions.
Mariposa
This act contradicts the values we claim to uphold as a nation of immigrants.
Comandante
This is a cruel and inhumane bill that targets immigrants and their families. It criminalizes people for simply being undocumented, and it does nothing to address the root causes of crime.
Coccinella
The Laken Riley Act will only lead to more fear and division in our communities. It will make it harder for immigrants to come forward and report crimes, and it will make it easier for criminals to get away with their crimes.
Habibi
This bill targets innocent families and punishes hardworking immigrants instead of addressing the real issues.
Mariposa
Proud of our lawmakers for taking action against the loopholes in our immigration system!
Bella Ciao
This law is long overdue! We need to prioritize the safety of our citizens above all else.
Muchacha
We can be a nation of laws AND a nation of immigrants; it’s about time we balanced both!
ArtemK
The safety of our communities should come first. Glad to see bipartisan support for this important measure!