Senate Democrats Unite Temporarily to Tackle GOP Immigration Legislation

A contentious immigration bill, potentially the first signed into law by President-elect Donald Trump, received significant support from Senate Democrats on Thursday, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.

The Senate voted 84-9 to invoke cloture on the Laken Riley Act, which aims to expand federal detention requirements for undocumented immigrants. This procedural step allows for debate on the legislation and sets the stage for a final vote. Notably, a significant majority of Senate Democrats supported the measure, diverging from typical party lines.

Only a few Democrats, including Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and freshman Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey, opposed advancing the bill. Despite concerns over its impact on unauthorized immigrants, party leaders encouraged discussions, asserting that Republicans should permit a thorough examination and amendment process.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for a robust debate on the Senate floor, stating, “Democrats want to have a robust debate where we can offer amendments and improve the bill.” His remarks underscored a commitment to collaborative policymaking, urging GOP leaders to allow all members to express their views.

In his remarks, Senate Majority Leader John Thune did not specifically address the cloture vote. However, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso expressed optimism about bipartisan cooperation for the immigration bill, stating, “This is an encouraging start to our new Senate year.” He called for Democrats to demonstrate a willingness to collaborate.

If enacted, the Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related offenses such as burglary and shoplifting. Furthermore, it would empower state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security for non-compliance with immigration protocols.

The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old woman from Georgia killed in 2022 by Venezuelan immigrant Jose Ibarra, who had a history of shoplifting. Proponents argue that detaining individuals for minor offenses could prevent tragic outcomes. However, opponents fear that such measures might conflate minor crimes with serious offenses, complicating legal distinctions.

Concerns also arise regarding a provision in the bill that allows states to sue the federal government, which critics argue contradicts Supreme Court precedents. Nonetheless, some Democrats, like Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, voiced support for the bill, framing it as a matter of common sense. Fetterman remarked, “If you’re here illegally and you’re committing crimes, I don’t know why anybody thinks it’s controversial that they all need to go.”

Other Senate Democrats, including Michigan’s Gary Peters and Arizona’s Ruben Gallego, have indicated they will back the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House earlier this week with a 252-157 vote.