WASHINGTON – On the first day of Donald Trump’s presidency, the U.S. Senate passed a bill Monday that would require expanding mass detentions of immigrants accused or arrested for property crimes.
In a 64-35 vote, 12 Democrats joined Republicans to send the bill, P. 5known as the Laken Riley Act, back to the House for final passage because of two amendments that senators agreed to.
One amendment Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn would add assault on a law enforcement officer as a crime requiring mandatory arrest.
Other amendmentSen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, would also require mandatory imprisonment requirements for “any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury to another person.”
When the bill passes the House, it will likely be one of the first bills signed by Trump, an early victory after he ran a presidential campaign promising mass deportations of immigrants from the country without proper legal authorization.
Trump is expected to sign 10 executive orders start a crackdown on immigration at the southern border.
The bill is named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, a nursing student who was murdered by a man who immigration authorities say entered the country illegally and was previously charged with shoplifting.
The measure would not only significantly expand the scope of detention of immigrants arrested or charged with crimes specified in the measure, but it would give state prosecutors broad discretion overall to challenge federal immigration policy if enacted.
Lawyers and immigration experts warn this measure could have far-reaching consequences, such as subjecting some migrants – including children and teenagers – to rapid detention and deportation.
They also argue that the bill will not only affect undocumented people but will ensnare some immigrants with legal status and could disrupt visa issuance internationally.
Last updated at 18:42, January 20, 2025
