The Laken Riley Act is one step closer to passage.
Ten Democrat senators joined all Republicans to move forward with the immigration bill, designed to crack down on illegal immigrants who commit crimes while in the U.S.
The Laken Riley Act requires federal authorities to detain unauthorized 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.
The Democratic senators who backed the legislation were Mark Kelly, Ariz.; Ruben Gallego, Ariz.; Gary Peters, Mich.; Elissa Slotkin, Mich.; Jacky Rosen, Nev.; Catherine Cortez Masto, Nev.; Jon Ossoff, Ga.; Maggie Hassan, N.H.; Jeanne Shaheen, N.H.; and Mark Warner, Va.
The Senators represent states President-elect Donald Trump won in 2024 or lost by a close margin. Ossoff, Peters, Shaheen, and Warner are up for reelection in 2026.
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.
It is unknown when a final vote will be held.
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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