Senate Advances Laken Riley Act Amid Controversial Immigration Policy Changes
The Senate approved the Laken Riley Act, allowing detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes, with bipartisan support from Democrats.
Summary
The Senate voted 61-35 to advance the Laken Riley Act, targeting undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related crimes. This bipartisan effort saw ten Democrats supporting the bill. The act mandates detention for undocumented immigrants charged with certain crimes and allows state attorneys to sue the federal government for perceived enforcement failures. Critics argue it infringes on due process and raises concerns about implementation costs, estimated at $27 billion in the first year. Final passage is anticipated next week, potentially marking one of the first significant legislative actions under President-elect Trump.
Sources (10)
- The Laken Riley Act is a reflection of Republicans using fear around immigrant crime to push stricter immigration policies, without addressing the complexity of immigration issues.
- Despite some Democrats initially considering stricter immigration measures, many ultimately opposed the bill due to concerns about its potential negative impacts and lack of adequate funding to implement it.
- The provision allowing state attorneys general to challenge federal immigration policies is alarming, as it could lead to chaotic changes in the immigration system and further strain an already overloaded process.
The Guardian·4M· "…The passage of the Laken Riley Act marks a troubling shift for Democrats, as they appear to be yielding ground to Republicans on immigration policy, a move that could alienate their base and signal a dangerous capitulation to extremism."
Mother Jones·4M· "…The willingness of Democrats, particularly those in swing districts and states, to support the bill is a sign of how vulnerable many in the party now understand themselves to be on immigration. Instead of fighting Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, as they did during his first term, Democrats are increasingly willing to cave to it in the hopes of insulating themselves from future Republican attacks."
MSNBC·4M· "…This rush to provide a new set of tools for the incoming administration to carry out its most extreme policies seems imprudent. Passing a bad law won’t bring Laken Riley back to life nor will it make communities safer."
PBS NewsHour·4M· "…The passage of the Laken Riley Act signals a troubling shift in immigration policy that prioritizes detaining migrants linked to minor offenses while neglecting the complexities of the immigration system."
History
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