Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., applauded the passage of the Laken Riley Act on Monday, saying it will help keep communities safer while ensuring other American families won't have to endure "such unthinkable loss."

The Senate passed the bill 64-35 on Monday, sending it back to the House to vote on the amended version. Twelve Senate Democrats voted with Republicans to approve it.

"I'm grateful my colleagues voted to make our communities safer, save lives, and prevent avoidable tragedies," Blackburn said in a statement. "This legislation will make certain illegal aliens who commit crimes are arrested and removed from our country, and it will also give states the power to sue federal officials who refuse to enforce the law."

The Laken Riley Act requires federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes. The bill was named after Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case even after being arrested in New York.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, proposed an amendment that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain any migrant lacking permanent legal status accused of assault on a law enforcement officer. An amendment by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, expanded the bill to acts causing death or bodily harm.

"Laken Riley's murder was a devastating and senseless tragedy, and we must take action to ensure other American families do not have to endure such unthinkable loss at the hands of criminal illegal aliens," Blackburn wrote.

The House passed the original measure 264-159, with 48 Democrats voting in support. The House will vote on the amended version later this week, NBC News reported. It's expected to pass.

• Senate Adds Amendment to Laken Riley Act
• Sen. Britt: Laken Riley Act 'Will Save Lives'