House Approves Laken Riley Act Targeting Immigration Enforcement

The bill, named after a murdered Georgia student, mandates detention of undocumented individuals charged with theft and allows states to sue federal agencies over immigration decisions.

• The Laken Riley Act, passed by the House in a 264-159 vote, requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented individuals charged with theft-related crimes such as burglary, larceny, and shoplifting.
• The legislation also permits state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security for perceived failures in immigration enforcement, including decisions to release certain individuals from custody.
• The bill is named after Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student murdered in 2024 by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan national with a prior shoplifting arrest.
• Supporters, including all House Republicans and 48 Democrats, argue the bill strengthens border security and prevents tragedies, while critics warn it undermines due process and scapegoats immigrants.
• The Senate is expected to vote on the bill Friday, with bipartisan support including Democratic Senator John Fetterman, though its passage is uncertain due to the 60-vote threshold.