(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In a bold GOP-led step supported even by multiple Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives has embraced more stringent immigration policies by passing the Laken Riley Act, a bill poised to facilitate the detention and deportation of illegal aliens charged with minor crimes.
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With bipartisan support and impending Senate approval, the legislation could dramatically alter immigration enforcement in America.
The House passed the Laken Riley Act on January 7, 2025, in an effort to curb illegal immigration and bolster national security.
The Act requires immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrants charged with nonviolent crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
Lawmakers believe this will address security concerns, especially after the tragic murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant.
This case spotlighted the dire need for improved immigration policies.
The legislation passed with a 264 to 159 vote, receiving support from 216 Republicans and 48 Democrats, highlighting significant bipartisan backing, Fox News reports.
Notably, the bill is named in honor of Laken Riley, who was senselessly murdered by Venezuelan national Jose Ibarra.
Ibarra had previously been charged with theft but was released due to a lack of detention space, raising questions about security lapses at the border.
Adding a layer of accountability, the Act allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government for failing to uphold immigration laws.
This provision empowers states to challenge federal inadequacies directly tied to lax deportation practices.
Moreover, the legislation overrides “sanctuary policies,” mandating the Homeland Security Secretary to assume custody of illegal immigrants.
“The Laken Riley Act gives our law enforcement the tools they need to protect their communities and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost to a broken immigration and criminal justice system,” said Rep. Mike Collins, cited by Newsweek.
This bill aligns with President-elect Donald J. Trump’s broader plans to crack down on illegal immigration, marking one of the first major legislative victories for the incoming administration.
The Act is positioned as a key component of Republican efforts to draft border security measures for Trump’s signature.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed intentions to fast-track the bill through the Senate, bypassing certain committee processes.
This strategy ensures the bill’s swift passage and mitigates any potential delay tactics by opponents.
The Act’s passage will require overcoming a Senate filibuster, necessitating support from at least eight members of the Democratic Caucus.
Encouragingly for supporters, some Democrats, including co-sponsor Sen. John Fetterman, have shown willingness to engage with their Republican colleagues in advancing the bill.
The shift in stance by these Democrats could reflect a strategic recalibration after recent electoral losses, demonstrating that lawmakers are attentive to public sentiment on immigration issues.
While critics argue the bill might lead to discrimination and insufficient resources for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), proponents assert it represents the embodiment of “common-sense American values.”
Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana echoed this sentiment, stating, “Laken Riley was brutally murdered by an illegal alien that President Biden and the Democrats let into this country with their open border policy.”
BREAKING: The Laken Riley Act passes the House, requiring federal immigration authorities to detain illegal immigrants found guilty of theft-related crimes. All voting Republicans supported the bill, along with 48 Democrats. It will now be sent to the Senate. pic.twitter.com/PLVvmGAFwz
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 7, 2025
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