CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · S. 5· Senate(119-S-5)

Laken Riley Act

Rep. Britt
Age: 44 years
Alabama
Introduced
1/6/2025
Last activity
1/29/2025 — Became Public Law No: 119-1.
Sponsored by
Katie Britt
Cosponsors
Republican - 51Democrat - 2
Immigration
  1. Introduced
  2. Passed Senate
  3. Passed House
  4. To President
  5. Became Law

What this bill would do

This legislation is known as the Laken Riley Act. It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take certain inadmissible aliens into custody if they are charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admit to committing burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security issue a detainer for these individuals and take them into custody if they are not already detained by other officials. Additionally, the measure grants State attorneys general or other authorized State officers the right to bring civil actions in U.S. district courts against federal officials for violations related to detention, release, visa issuance, or parole requirements that harm the State or its residents by more than $100. Courts are instructed to expedite these lawsuits as much as possible.

Yes· 3 of 5

  • Does this tighten control of the border?+3

    The bill emphasizes the detention of aliens charged with theft, potentially contributing to increased border security efforts.

  • Does this leave more decisions to the states?+2

    Grants State Attorneys General the power to sue the federal government, increasing state power relative to the federal government.

  • Would middle-income households be better off under this?+1

    Detaining aliens charged with theft-related crimes might increase the feeling of safety for middle-class households.

The opposite· 3 of 7

  • Would immigrants be better off under this?-5

    The bill negatively impacts immigrants facing charges, as it mandates their detention.

  • Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?-3

    By mandating detention for certain offenses, the bill could reduce opportunities for some immigrants to pursue a pathway to citizenship.

  • Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?-2

    Mandatory detention could disproportionately affect Hispanic Americans due to immigration status concerns and existing disparities in the criminal justice system.

What Congress actually voted on

5 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. 2 of them decided something; the rest moved it along.

  • The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the billBill Passed 64–35

    This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.

    01/20/2025 · Roll call 7 · recorded as “On Passage of the Bill S. 5”

  • The House: the vote on whether to pass the billPassed 263–156

    This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President.

    01/22/2025 · Roll call 23 · recorded as “On Passage”