Senate Moves Forward with New Bill to Detain Non-Citizens Charged with Theft
In a recent vote, the U.S. Senate agreed to start discussing a new law aimed at cracking down on theft. The bill, known as the "Laken Riley Act," requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take custody of non-citizens who are charged with crimes like burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The vote showed strong support, with 82 Senators in favor and only 10 against.
This new legislation is designed to make it easier for government officials to hold immigrants who are accused of theft-related crimes. The bill specifies that if someone is charged with these crimes, they cannot be released while their case is being handled, unless local authorities do not have them in custody. This means that the government can keep these individuals detained longer to prevent potential risks to community safety.
Additionally, the bill allows state attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security if they believe a state is harmed by releasing individuals charged with theft. If a state can prove that it suffers financial losses of more than $100 due to such releases, it can take legal action.
Supporters of the "Laken Riley Act" argue that the law will help reduce theft and increase safety in communities by making sure that people charged with these crimes are detained promptly. The hope is that this will send a message about the seriousness of theft and help protect neighborhoods from crime.
The Senate's approval to discuss the bill marks an important step in moving forward with this proposal, which aims to enhance public safety by holding those who may threaten communities accountable while their legal situations are resolved.