As Republicans are vying for their first legislative win in the new Congress, the Senate on Wednesday adopted the first amendment to the Laken Riley Act, The Hill reported.
The bill, which advanced last Thursday 84-9, would require federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants who have been accused of theft, burglary, and other crimes.
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. Cornyn's amendment passed 70-25 on Wednesday.
The bill is named after Laken Riley, the Augusta University nursing student murdered by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant who had been arrested for shoplifting prior to the attack and, subsequently, was released. In November, Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison.
Sens. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., did not vote. The amendment needed 50 votes to pass instead of the usual 51 due to the recent vacancy of Vice President-elect JD Vance's seat.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters to expected further amendments, himself backing one by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who aims to add "Sarah's Law."
Ernst's amendment expands that mandate to illegal migrants who are charged with crimes that cause death or serious bodily injury to another person. The proposal is named after another young woman, Sarah Root, who was killed allegedly by an illegal immigrant who was driving while under the influence.
"We'll have debate, and we'll aim to produce the strongest bill that we can pass into law," Thune said. "That's our goal."