The Senate has passed the Laken Riley Act, a bill requiring federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes, marking a decisive shift in U.S. immigration policy under President Donald Trump.
This measure, Donald Trump’s first major legislative victory just hours after his inauguration, reflects the administration’s priority of strengthening immigration enforcement and expediting deportations.
The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student whose murder by a Venezuelan national fueled campaign rhetoric, passed with a 64-35 vote, gaining the support of 12 Democratic senators.
According to the Associated Press, the legislation represents a significant shift to the right in Congress on immigration and border security, highlighting bipartisan cooperation on certain enforcement proposals.
Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a top priority, welcomed the bill’s passage.
Speaking to supporters earlier in the day, he declared, “We don’t want criminals coming into our country,” and stated that he expected the bill to be signed into law “within the next week or so.”
The law expands its scope to include migrants accused of assaulting police officers or committing crimes resulting in serious injury or death.
Supporters of the legislation argue that it addresses public safety concerns and holds migrants accountable for criminal acts.
“Anyone who commits a crime must be held accountable. That’s why I voted for the Laken Riley Act,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) on social media.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) emphasized the compatibility of a secure border with support for immigration, according to the Associated Press.
However, critics of the bill have raised concerns about its implications for federal and state immigration policies.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the leader of the Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee, argued in a speech that the law would “punish legal immigrants and undermine America’s due process rights,” while diverting resources away from addressing genuine threats.
The implementation of the law hinges on substantial funding, with costs estimated at $83 billion over the next three years, according to a memo cited by the Associated Press.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would need to triple its detention capacity and significantly increase the number of deportation flights to meet the law’s requirements.
The financial burden of the legislation poses significant challenges, particularly in the closely divided House of Representatives, where balancing budgetary concerns with enforcement priorities remains contentious.
Efforts to secure the necessary funds through budget reconciliation, a process enabling cross-party passage, underscore the political complexities of the initiative.
The Laken Riley Act also raises questions about its impact on immigrants currently protected from deportation under programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Although Trump attempted to terminate DACA during his first term, his administration has occasionally expressed a willingness to preserve protections for DACA recipients.
As the bill moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives for final approval of Senate amendments, its passage would represent a significant turning point in the administration’s immigration approach and set the stage for broader debates on border security and humanitarian issues.
Thanks to this legislation, the Trump administration will now be able to expedite the deportation of immigrants accused of minor offenses.