**Congress Enacts Laken Riley Act, Toughening Measures on Non-Citizens Charged with Theft**

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14 days ago - Politics

Congress Passes New Law Targeting Non-Citizens Charged with Theft

In a significant decision, the House of Representatives has passed a new law called the Laken Riley Act. This law will change how non-citizens accused of theft-related crimes are treated in the United States. House Republicans acted as the primary supporters of this law, pushing to make sure it passed without major opposition.

Under the Laken Riley Act, if a non-citizen is accused or convicted of crimes like burglary or shoplifting, they can be detained more easily by the government. This means that it will be simpler for authorities to hold these individuals while they deal with their legal issues.

One important part of the law is that it clearly defines what theft and related crimes are based on local rules. This avoids any confusion about what actions are considered illegal.

Additionally, the law gives power to state attorneys general, who are the top legal officials in each state. If they believe that not following this law is harming their state or citizens, they can seek help from the courts. For instance, if a state experiences financial losses—like losing more than $100 due to crimes—the attorney general can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security. This helps ensure that non-citizens accused of these crimes face consequences.

Supporters of the law believe that these changes will lead to quicker court cases and more focus on how crimes affect local communities, which may help reduce theft-related crimes and improve safety in neighborhoods across the country.

In summary, the Laken Riley Act aims to make it easier to detain non-citizens charged with theft while allowing state leaders to take action if they feel their communities are at risk. This is seen as an important step toward enhancing security and accountability in various areas.

This is a new law that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody immigrants who are charged with theft.

  • If an immigrant is charged with crimes like theft, burglary, or assault, they can be held by immigration authorities.
  • The law makes it clear what crimes lead to detention and lets state attorneys take action if harm is done to their state or residents because of someone not being held.
  • If a state feels financially harmed by a decision related to an immigrant, they can ask a court for help.
  • The law aims to ensure that certain immigrants cannot avoid consequences for serious crimes.

This change affects how immigrants who commit crimes are treated and gives more power to state authorities to act against federal decisions they believe are harmful.

419 votes

Yes

263

No

156

Not Voting

14

  1. Became Public Law No: 119-1.
  2. Signed by President.
  3. Presented to President.
  4. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
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  6. On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
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  7. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285-286)
  8. POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of the debate on S. 5, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  9. The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  10. DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 5.
  11. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.
  12. Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 53. (consideration: CR H277-284)
  13. Rule H. Res. 53 passed House.
  14. Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 53 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.
  15. Held at the desk.
  16. Received in the House.
  17. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  18. Engrossed in Senate

    This is a new law that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody immigrants who are charged with theft.

    • If an immigrant is charged with crimes like theft, burglary, or assault, they can be held by immigration authorities.
    • The law makes it clear what crimes lead to detention and lets state attorneys take action if harm is done to their state or residents because of someone not being held.
    • If a state feels financially harmed by a decision related to an immigrant, they can ask a court for help.
    • The law aims to ensure that certain immigrants cannot avoid consequences for serious crimes.

    This change affects how immigrants who commit crimes are treated and gives more power to state authorities to act against federal decisions they believe are harmful.

  19. Placed on Calendar Senate

    This is a bill that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take control of non-citizens in the U.S. who are charged with theft.

    1. Main Point: Non-citizens charged with theft must be detained by the government.
    2. Supporting Details:
      • The bill changes laws to ensure that if a non-citizen is accused of stealing, they can be taken into custody.
      • Definitions of theft include burglary, larceny, and shoplifting, based on local laws.
      • State attorneys general can take action if they believe these changes harm their states or residents, especially if there is financial harm over $100.
      • The bill allows state officials to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security if they feel the actions taken harm their state.
      • The legal process for these cases will be sped up to ensure quick decisions.

    This bill will impact how theft cases involving non-citizens are handled, making sure they are detained while their cases are being processed.