The U.S. Senate advanced the Laken Riley Act on Friday by invoking cloture in a 61-35 vote. The legislation, introduced twice in the upper chamber by Senator Katie Britt, will hold illegal immigrants committing theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting crimes accountable for their actions by forcing DHS to detain them. Additionally, the Laken Riley Act will ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
Following the vote, Britt praised the bipartisan effort that led to the bill’s advancement in the Senate.
“I am proud to have bipartisan support for this bill, and I am grateful for Senators John Fetterman and Ruben Gallego who have decided to sign on as co-sponsors,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “I am heartened to see so many of my Democratic colleagues come out in favor of this common sense, straightforward legislation. But we can’t lose focus now. We are so close to the finish line, so close to delivering results for the American people.”
The vote moves the bill one step closer to being the first piece of legislation signed into law by President-elect Donald Trump. It will now face a final vote in the Senate most likely next week and return to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote there as well. The legislation must return to the House due to the Senate making amendments.
According to FOX News, ICE has found thousands of illegals who would meet the requirements under the Laken Riley Act for arrest on its detained docket and non-detained docket. On its national docket, it has more than 60,000 illegals that meet the criteria for arrest.
The legislation, named after a young Georgia woman killed by an illegal immigrant, has 53 cosponsors including Democrat Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Robin Gallego of Arizona.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
