Senate Passes Laken Riley Act In First Move After Trump Inauguration

The U.S. Senate has recently passed the Laken Riley Act, moving President Donald Trump closer to endorsing a substantial immigration-related law. This notable development marks the first major legislation passed by the GOP-led Senate since the new Congress began, emphasizing the persistent focus on immigration matters in the political arena.

With the legislation garnering bipartisan support through a 64-35 vote, every Republican senator backed it, along with 12 Democrats. This result highlights the intense political attention on immigration, especially given its resonance with Republicans during the November elections.

The Laken Riley Act enforces the federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes such as theft, burglary, and specific violent offenses. Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota described the act as a pivotal measure for ensuring public safety.

“This legislation will make certain that illegal aliens, who commit theft or assault a law enforcement officer, are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ensuring they are not released back onto the streets,” Thune mentioned before the vote. “I eagerly anticipate delivering this legislation to the president’s desk.”

The act is named after Laken Riley, a college student from Athens, Georgia, cruelly murdered almost a year ago by a Venezuelan immigrant who had been freed after an earlier shoplifting arrest.

Besides the main act, an amendment led by Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa was passed with a 75-24 vote. Known as Sarah’s Law, the amendment broadens the act to mandate detention of undocumented immigrants accused of crimes that result in death or serious bodily harm. Sarah’s Law is named in memory of Sarah Root, who died in 2016 in a car accident involving an undocumented immigrant who posted bail and departed the country before the trial.

The legislation faced significant opposition and debate among Senate Democrats. Critics pointed out concerns about allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain migrants upon arrest instead of after a conviction. They also cited the $27 billion initial implementation cost estimated by the Department of Homeland Security, along with the increased powers given to state attorneys general to sue federal immigration officials over detention choices.

A Democratic amendment proposed eliminating the provision allowing state attorneys general to sue federal officials, but it did not pass. Central to the Democrats’ criticism were the financial burdens and logistical hurdles of implementing the law, particularly given ICE’s limited resources.

Nevertheless, the legislation found allies among some Democratic senators from critical states, showcasing internal divisions within the party. Senators like John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Mark Kelly of Arizona, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, among others, supported the legislation alongside Republicans. This bipartisan endorsement weakened the Democratic leadership’s stance in negotiations.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut highlighted the broader political issues confronting Democrats regarding immigration policy:

“I have invested a lot of effort demonstrating how Democrats genuinely care about border security. I believe we need to engage in a collective effort to show the American public that our commitment to border security is stronger, but it’s crucial to do so on our terms, not theirs.”

The Laken Riley Act reflects years of Republican disapproval of the Biden administration’s border security management and the increase in migrant arrivals. Despite efforts by Democrats to pursue bipartisan solutions, these endeavors have yet to notably shift public perception or policy outcomes.

Before reaching President Trump’s desk for signing, the bill requires reconciliation with a slightly modified version passed earlier by the House of Representatives. The outcome of this reconciliation will determine if the legislation becomes law, potentially signaling a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy.