**Senate Rejects Immigration Amendment Amid Party Divides**

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senate

21 days ago - Politics

Senate Votes to Block Amendment on Immigration Laws

In a recent vote, the Senate decided to reject an important amendment that would have changed how state officials can interact with federal immigration authorities. This amendment aimed to allow state attorneys general to sue federal agencies over the detention of non-citizens.

The vote showed clear division along party lines, with Senate Republicans leading the effort against this amendment. They felt it was important to block this change, and with a vote count of 46 in favor and 49 against, the amendment did not pass.

The discussion around this amendment was connected to a broader piece of legislation called the "Laken Riley Act." This new law is designed to strengthen the government’s ability to hold non-citizens who are accused of theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting or burglary. Under this act, if someone is charged with a theft crime, they can be held by the government while their case is being worked on, as long as local authorities don’t have them in their custody.

Additionally, the Laken Riley Act allows state attorneys general to take legal action if they believe that their states are negatively impacted by the release of these individuals. If a state claims to have lost more than $100 due to the release of someone accused of theft, they can sue to seek compensation.

The goal of this legislation is to improve safety in communities by ensuring that people charged with theft are kept in custody until their legal matters are resolved. Supporters believe that this could help reduce theft and other related crimes, while critics argue it could lead to unfair treatment of non-citizens.

In summary, the Senate's recent vote means that states will not be able to sue the federal government concerning the detention of non-citizens, and the proposed changes to immigration rules included in the Laken Riley Act will move forward without this amendment.

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.

95 votes

Yes

46

No

49

Not Voting

4

  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.