The Senate decisively voted on Thursday to restrict debate on the Laken Riley Act, a measure mandating that border enforcement officials detain illegal immigrants who have committed theft and related offenses. The vote of 84-9 paves the way for the final approval of the bill, potentially occurring as early as Friday. This swift progress positions the bill to be among the initial pieces of legislation signed into law by President-elect Donald Trump after it sailed through the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The legislation not only empowers states to seek damages from the federal government for lapses in immigration law enforcement but is also significant for its namesake and inspiration, Laken Riley. This act was prompted by the tragic murder of the Georgia nursing student in February 2024 at the hands of an illegal immigrant.
Among the nine lawmakers who opposed the bill were Senators 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 Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) voted in favor of advancing the bill with the caveat that he sought amendments to the measure.
Senate Republicans, having supported the Laken Riley Act following its successful passage in the House earlier in the week, are aligning with the bill after the national uproar sparked by Laken Riley’s tragic death last year.
This legislative feat marks the first bill from the 119th Congress to reach the Republican-controlled Senate. In the previous year, when the chamber was under Democratic control, the bill encountered obstacles after receiving approval from the GOP-led House. The bill was a response to the public outcry over the ruthless killing of 22-year-old Riley by convicted gang member Jose Ibarra.
Ibarra, hailing from Venezuela, attempted to assault Riley before ultimately murdering her with a rock in February of the previous year. After illegally crossing the southern border into El Paso, Texas on September 8, 2022, Ibarra was released due to limited detention space. He was eventually transported to New York City, where he undertook odd jobs.
Ibarra was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted on all charges in November. His subsequent arrest in Queens, New York, for endangering his wife’s five-year-old son while riding a moped led to further legal proceedings. Despite his prior New York arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not detain Ibarra following his release.
The enactment of the Laken Riley Act aims to bolster immigration enforcement and rectify past shortcomings. Republicans are now targeting broader immigration reforms in the upcoming months, with the Laken Riley Act serving as an initial step towards more comprehensive changes. The GOP views legislation akin to the Laken Riley Act as accessible victories for Trump and is actively developing a more inclusive border
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