**Senate Approves "Laken Riley Act" to Address Non-Citizen Theft**

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16 days ago - Politics

Senate Passes New Immigration Bill to Tackle Theft

In a significant legislative move, the Senate approved a new bill aimed at addressing theft-related crimes involving non-citizens. The bill, known as the "Laken Riley Act," passed with a vote of 64 to 35. Most Senate Republicans voted in favor of the bill, showing strong support for its measures.

The Laken Riley Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take custody of individuals who are charged with crimes such as theft, burglary, or shoplifting. This means that if someone is accused of stealing, immigration authorities must hold them until the legal process is completed. The bill introduces clear definitions of theft-related charges in immigration law and expands the reasons for detaining individuals. This change ensures that those charged cannot simply walk free unless local law enforcement decides not to keep them in custody.

In addition to holding individuals accused of theft, the bill allows state attorneys general (the top legal officials in each state) to take legal action if they believe their state suffers financially due to the release of these individuals. If a state shows that it has lost more than $100 because someone charged with a theft-related crime was released, it can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for relief.

Supporters of the Laken Riley Act argue that it will make communities safer by quickly detaining those who may pose a risk to the public. They believe that by keeping accused individuals in custody, the bill may help reduce theft-related crimes and keep neighborhoods secure.

The passage of this bill highlights a growing focus among lawmakers on how immigration laws intersect with issues of safety and crime. As communities continue to grapple with theft and related offenses, the Laken Riley Act is seen as a step toward addressing these challenges more effectively.

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.

99 votes

Yes

64

No

35

Not Voting

0

-
  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.