The US House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act on January 6, 2025, as its first legislative action of the new Congress. This bipartisan bill, which gained support from 48 Democrats and 216 Republicans, passed with a vote of 264 to 159 and is aimed at strengthening border security and immigration detention policies. It now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate for further consideration (The Guardian).

Named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant, the act necessitates the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants charged with theft-related crimes. Furthermore, it permits state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states have suffered due to non-enforcement of federal immigration laws (ABC News).

House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the act embodies the Republican commitment to fortifying immigration laws and expressed disbelief over the opposition from some House Democrats. He stated, “It is hard to believe after countless horrific stories like Laken’s, ANY House Democrats would vote against deporting illegal aliens who commit violent crimes against American citizens.” Conversely, Democrats criticized the legislation as a tactic to vilify immigrants without addressing deeper issues within the US immigration system. Representative Jamie Raskin asserted that the bill fails to offer meaningful solutions, labeling it an attempt to exploit tragedies for political gain (Newsweek).

Since its introduction, the Laken Riley Act has seen an increase in Democratic support compared to its previous attempt in 2023, where only 37 Democrats backed the legislation. With the current composition of the Senate, where Republicans hold a slight majority, the act faces an uphill battle, requiring 60 votes to advance past any potential filibuster. As it stands, only one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, has publicly co-sponsored the bill, raising questions about bipartisan support (ABC News).

The act responds to the tragic case of Laken Riley, whose murder by Venezuelan national José Ibarra, who was affiliated with the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, captured national attention. Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison in November, a case that boosted the urgency of this immigration reform within the new Congress. Supporters argue that the legislation will enhance public safety by ensuring that undocumented immigrants who pose a danger to American citizens are appropriately detained and prosecuted.

As the bill moves forward, its fate will depend heavily on moderates and potential Democratic allies in the Senate. The forthcoming discussions will clarify whether the Laken Riley Act will meet the legislative challenges ahead or fade into the political background, much like its previous iteration.