On Wednesday, the House passed a Republican-led bill aimed at mandating the detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes, marking an early legislative victory for President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.
The bill, named the Laken Riley Act, will now head to the White House for Trump’s signature, after receiving Senate approval earlier in the week.
The House voted 263 to 156, with 46 Democrats joining Republicans in support.
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Republicans prioritized the legislation after securing control of the House, Senate, and White House.
However, the bill would not have passed in the Senate without key Democratic support, as Republicans hold only a slim majority.
The bill’s passage aligns with Trump’s goal of making immigration enforcement a central focus of his agenda and provides Republicans with a legislative accomplishment early in his second term.
Nonetheless, implementing the law could prove difficult, as federal officials have warned that current resources are inadequate.
The broad Democratic backing for the bill signals a shift in the party’s stance on immigration, particularly among Democrats in competitive districts and states who feel the need to address voter concerns over the issue.
However, the bill has sparked internal divisions within the party, with some Democrats supporting it as a practical solution, while others argue it could erode civil liberties and public safety.
The legislation mandates the detention of undocumented migrants in the U.S. who have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admitted to certain criminal offenses, including theft, burglary, and assault on law enforcement.
The bill also includes amendments that expand the list of covered crimes to include those resulting in death or serious injury.
Named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia student killed in 2024 by an undocumented migrant, the bill was driven by a high-profile case that reignited national debates on immigration and crime.
The bill also includes a controversial provision allowing state attorneys general to sue federal officials, including immigration judges, over decisions to release certain immigrants from detention and to compel the State Department to impose visa sanctions on countries that refuse to accept deported nationals.
Opponents, mainly Democrats, argue that the bill could undermine public safety by allowing courts to challenge legitimate law enforcement decisions and could weaken U.S. foreign policy by giving state attorneys general and federal judges too much influence over visa decisions.
Despite passing Congress, the bill faces significant implementation challenges.
The Department of Homeland Security has warned that existing resources are insufficient for full implementation, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) estimating that it would need an additional 110,000 detention beds and significant funding to carry out the law.
ICE also indicated that a ramp-up period would be necessary to address issues like hiring and infrastructure.
Since his inauguration, Trump has swiftly pursued a series of executive actions on immigration, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and initiating efforts to end birthright citizenship, a move already facing legal challenges.
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