WASHINGTON—The Senate has overwhelmingly voted 84–9 to advance the Laken Riley Act, signaling that the bill may pass when it’s voted on next week. The legislation passed the House 264–159 on Jan. 6, with the support of 48 Democrats.
The bill mandates that the Department of Homeland Security detain illegal immigrants who are arrested for theft, burglary, or shoplifting. It also allows states to file suit against the federal government if it fails to enforce certain immigration policies and procedures.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was a cosponsor of the bill from its outset.
“Laken Riley’s story is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake when our systems fail to protect people. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence,” said Fetterman in a statement....
