President Donald Trump is one step closer to signing the immigration-related legislation into law after the GOP-controlled U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act, making it the first piece of legislation to pass the upper chamber of the new Congress.
The bill was voted on by senators 64-35. Every Republican and 12 Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
Following the emergence of immigration as a signature issue for Trump and an effective weapon against Democrats in November, Republicans prioritized the legislation, which requires the federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft and burglary, among other offenses.
“This legislation will ensure that illegal aliens who steal or assault a law enforcement officer are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement instead of being allowed out on the streets,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on the floor ahead of the vote. “I’m looking forward to getting this legislation to the president’s desk.”
Democrats who voted in support of the bill included Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) and Mark Warner (Va.).
