U.S. Senate Advances Controversial Immigration Bill to Heighten Detention for Theft and Shoplifting

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Monday advanced a significant immigration bill that mandates detention for immigrants charged with property crimes. The legislation also broadens the authority of state attorneys general in immigration matters.

In a decisive 82-10 vote, the bill saw participation from 32 Senate Democrats and one independent, aligning with the Republican majority. Nine Democrats opposed the measure, including notable figures such as Senators Tina Smith, Ben Ray Luján, and Elizabeth Warren. Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders also voted against it.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the bill’s importance, naming it after 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was recently murdered. The accused, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, was allegedly undocumented and had prior legal issues before his arrest for Riley’s murder.

Thune cautioned against attempts to alter the bill with unrelated amendments, calling the proposed measure a straightforward solution. In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged his colleagues to permit discussions and votes on relevant amendments.

The bill mandates that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security detain immigrants charged with local theft, burglary, or shoplifting, barring release on bond. This could impact not only undocumented immigrants but also those with conditional statuses like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Additionally, the legislation grants state attorneys general substantial authority to challenge federal immigration policies, visa issuance, and bond rulings by immigration judges. This move indicates a notable shift in the legal landscape regarding immigration enforcement.

The recent vote marks a critical step for the bill, which had previously passed the House last year but stalled in the Senate under Democratic control. Following last week’s House vote, Democratic support increased significantly, reflecting changing political dynamics amid ongoing debates about border security.

Last updated 5:25 p.m., Jan. 13, 2025