In a bid to align with the incoming President of the United States (US), Donald Trump’s promise to tackle illegal immigration, the U.S. House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed the Laken Riley Act into law.
According to the reports, American lawmakers passed the legislation that mandates pre-trial detention for undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes.
The bill, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old student murdered by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant wanted for shoplifting, was the first piece of legislation under the newly Republican-controlled Congress.
It passed with a bipartisan vote of 264 to 159, with 48 Democrats joining Republicans in favour.
However, this has ignited significant political and public debate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the legislation’s importance for border security, labelling the current situation as an “Absolute disaster” under President, Joe Biden’s administration.
House Minority Whip, Katherine Clark criticized the bill as politically motivated, arguing that such a bill increases detentions without adequate funding.
The act now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it faces potential challenges despite bipartisan sponsorship by Senator John Fetterman.
President-elect Trump, set to take office on January 20, has repeatedly highlighted Riley’s case during his campaign and vowed to implement stricter immigration controls.
Trump has appointed Tom Homan as “border czar” and pledged mass deportations alongside robust border policies.
The case of Jose Antonio Ibarra, convicted of Riley’s murder, remains a cornerstone of Republican arguments for the act.
GOP leaders, including House Whip Tom Emmer, described the legislation as a return to “common sense American values” and a step toward prioritizing the safety of American communities.
The Senate is expected to vote on the Laken Riley Act by Friday, marking a pivotal moment in shaping U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration.
