House Passes Laken Riley Act on Immigration

The US House of Representatives passed the 'Laken Riley Act' on Tuesday, mandating the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, with a vote of 264-159. The bill, named after a University of Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant, received bipartisan support, including 48 Democrats. Proponents argue the measure addresses rising concerns about crime and immigration, while critics, primarily Democrats, claim it unfairly targets immigrants and fails to tackle broader immigration issues. The legislation now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where its future is uncertain due to the need for a substantial number of Democratic votes to overcome procedural hurdles. This marks the first bill of the new Congress, emphasizing the Republican focus on immigration following the recent elections. The debate surrounding the bill reflects ongoing tensions regarding immigration policy and crime in the US.