The tragic killing of Riley, a 22-year-old woman who was murdered by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant, on Feb. 22, 2024, sparked heated discussions on immigration in the United States and became a focal point for Trump during his campaign. Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and remained in the country while his case was pending, having previously faced charges for shoplifting in Georgia.
A new legislation has been proposed to require immigration authorities to detain undocumented individuals suspected of minor crimes, such as shoplifting. It also empowers state attorneys general to take legal action against the federal government if they believe their states are being adversely affected by the lack of national immigration policies, and allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for damages caused by illegal immigration.
This Republican-led bill initially passed the House with a vote of 264-159 on Jan. 7, supported by 48 Democrats. The revised version then successfully passed the Senate with a vote of 64-35, with backing from 12 Democrats, marking the first bill to clear the Senate in this session and requiring final approval from the House.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley expressed the necessity of detaining and deporting illegal migrants who commit crimes on the Senate floor. An amendment proposed by Cornyn was also approved, expanding the list of offenses that would mandate detention to include assault of a law enforcement officer, garnering significant Democratic support.
The estimated cost of enforcing this bill by ICE is projected to be close to $27 billion in the first year, a substantial increase from previous estimates. ICE highlighted challenges faced in enforcing the law, citing a lack of cooperation from local law enforcement and potential diversion of resources from pursuing more serious offenders.
Overall, the bill aims to address concerns surrounding illegal immigration and crime rates, emphasizing the need to prioritize the safety and security of American citizens.
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