Congress Advances Laken Riley Act as Immigration Takes Centre Stage Ahead of Trump Inauguration
WASHINGTON — As the nation prepares for donald Trump’s presidential inauguration,Congress is already moving swiftly on tougher immigration bills,signaling a renewed focus on border security and enforcement.at the forefront of these efforts is the Laken Riley Act, a bill named after a Georgia nursing student tragically killed by an undocumented immigrant. The Senate advanced the bill this week, with a important number of Democrats joining Republicans to push it forward.
The Laken Riley Act mandates the detainment and potential deportation of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, such as burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It also empowers states to sue the federal government over perceived failures in enforcing immigration laws. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “This is an vital issue we should have a debate and amendments.”
The debate over amendments is expected to intensify next week, as lawmakers grapple with the implications of the legislation. This marks the first major immigration crackdown to reach the Senate floor, but it’s unlikely to be the last. According to Axios, Trump and Senate Republicans discussed as many as 100 executive orders during a recent meeting at the Capitol. These include reinstating Title 42, a COVID-era policy that allowed the expulsion of migrants for public health reasons without asylum hearings. Other proposed actions include expanding collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE, constructing additional border walls, and establishing more migrant holding facilities.
“Number one, we’re closing the border. It’s going to be closed very strongly. We’re going to take people out that are criminals.We have people from jails, all over the world, people from mental institutions, and they’re going to have to be removed,” Trump declared Wednesday night.
Republicans are also reviving efforts to pass the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, the bill’s sponsor, took to X to assert, “Only American citizens should be able to register and vote in American elections.”
The push for stricter immigration measures is widely seen as a response to voter concerns. “The number one issue I heard about when I was out on the campaign trail was the border,” Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, told Sinclair’s Connect to Congress.
In a surprising show of bipartisanship, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.,became the first Democrat to cosponsor the Laken Riley Act. Fetterman is also set to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend, a move that underscores his willingness to engage across party lines. “This meeting is planned for this weekend,” sources confirmed, as Fetterman urged his colleagues to embrace open discussions on immigration reform.
Key Points of the Laken Riley Act
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| purpose | Detain and deport undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes |
| State authority | Allows states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement |
| Bipartisan Support | Backed by a significant number of Democrats and Republicans |
| Next steps | Debate over amendments expected next week |
as the nation watches, the Laken Riley Act and other proposed measures highlight the growing urgency to address immigration reform. With Trump’s inauguration on the horizon, the debate over border security and enforcement is poised to dominate the political landscape in the coming months.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to The National Desk.
