CNN
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A Republican-led bill that would require the detention of illegal immigrants accused of certain crimes was passed in the Senate after a significant number of Democrats joined with Republicans to advance the bill in a key vote on Friday. I’m trying.
The results reflect a major shift for Democrats, who are under pressure on immigration following Donald Trump’s presidential victory, as Democrats in battleground states and districts look to respond to voters’ concerns. The party insists that more needs to be done.
If the bill, known as the Laken Riley Act, is signed into law, it would be an early victory for President Trump and Republicans in Congress. White House.
A final vote in the U.S. Senate could come as early as next week.
The House passed a version of the Laken Riley bill earlier this month, and as expected, the House is expected to take up and pass the Senate version of the bill after it passes the Senate. The Senate is pushing forward with its own version of the bill, and has also voted on amendments.
The bill would require the detention of illegal immigrants charged with theft or robbery. The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia student who died while trying to escape last year. An illegal immigrant from Venezuela was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole in a case that reignited a national debate over immigration and crime.
While the bill won support from a majority of Democrats, it also exposed rifts within the party. Some called the bill a common-sense measure, while others argued it could violate civil liberties and due process and undermine public safety.
Friday’s procedural vote required 60 votes to pass the bill, meaning some Democrats would have to cross the aisle to vote for Republicans, who hold only a 53-seat majority. The final vote was 61-35.
One of the bill’s controversial provisions would give state attorneys general the power to sue in federal court over decisions by federal authorities, including immigration judges, to release certain immigrants from detention. It also could file a lawsuit asking the State Department to impose visa sanctions on countries that refuse to accept nationals subject to deportation.
Many Democratic senators initially voted to move forward with the bill, but said they do not support the bill as it stands and want a robust amendment process.
Earlier this week, the Senate passed an amendment to the Laken-Riley Act, expanding the list of criminal offenses for which immigrants can be detained if arrested, to include assaulting a law enforcement officer. The amendment, introduced by Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, passed with broad bipartisan support on a 70-25 vote.
The second amendment, proposed by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, aims to amend parts of the bill that Democratic critics say amount to a major rewrite of immigration law. However, it was rejected 46-49 in the Republican-led Senate.
