The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to restrict debate on the Laken Riley Act, which compels border enforcement officers to take custody of unlawful immigrants who commit theft and associated crimes.
The 84-9 vote cleared the best way for last passage of the measure, which might happen as quickly as Friday — enabling it to be one of many first items of laws signed into legislation by President-elect Donald Trump after clearing the Home of Representatives on Tuesday.
Beneath the act, states may even have the ability to sue the federal authorities for damages ensuing from failure to implement immigration legislation.
The invoice is called after and was impressed by a Georgia nursing pupil who was attacked and brutally murdered whereas jogging by an unlawful immigrant in February 2024.
The 9 lawmakers in opposition included Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer (D-NY) voted to advance the invoice, however caveated that he needed amendments to the measure.
The Laken Riley Act is the primary invoice of the 119th Congress to succeed in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Final 12 months, when the chamber was beneath Democrat management, the invoice stalled after being accepted by the GOP-controlled Home.
The laws drew inspiration from the outcry surrounding the brutal killing of Riley, 22, by convicted Tren de Aragua gangbanger Jose Ibarra, 26.
Ibarra, from Venezuela, tried to rape Riley earlier than strangling bludgeoning her with a rock on Feb. 22 of final 12 months.
On Sept. 8, 2022, Ibarra illegally crossed the southern border into El Paso, Texas, earlier than being let out as a result of inadequate detention area.
At one level, he was bussed to New York Metropolis, the place he carried out odd jobs.
Police detained Ibarra after he drove by the streets of Queens on a moped along with his spouse’s five-year-old son holding on the again with no seatbelt or head safety, legislation enforcement sources beforehand instructed The Submit.
Ibarra was arrested for youngster endangerment because of this.
In December 2023, Ibarra made a court docket look in Georgia over a shoplifting case. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later mentioned that it didn’t maintain him following his prior New York arrest as a result of he was let out earlier than they may subject a detainer.
The Laken Riley Act was supposed to shore up enforcement of immigration and repair the problems that went awry.
Republicans have eyed laws just like the Laken Riley Act as “low-hanging fruit” for Trump as fast and straightforward legislative wins when he takes workplace.
They’re additionally working to iron out a extra complete suite of border reforms that may probably be packaged along with different key legislative agenda gadgets.