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The House passed the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain certain non-citizens charged with theft and allows states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement.
The Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29) mandates that the Department of Homeland Security take into custody any non-citizen who is in the U.S. illegally and has been arrested for or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Notably, the bill requires detention even if the individual has only been charged or arrested and not yet convicted. Additionally, it gives state attorneys general the power to sue federal agencies in court if they believe federal immigration laws are not being properly enforced, provided they can show at least $100 in financial harm to their state. This was a vote on 'final passage,' which is the final step for a bill in the House of Representatives. To pass, the bill required a simple majority of those present and voting. This type of vote determines whether the House officially approves the legislation and moves it forward in the lawmaking process. The bill passed with a bipartisan majority, receiving support from all voting Republicans and 50 Democrats. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate also passes the bill, it can then be sent to the President to be signed into law.
The bill will be sent to the Senate, where it must be debated and voted on before it can reach the President's desk.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill would significantly change immigration enforcement by expanding mandatory detention for individuals not yet convicted of a crime and giving states a new legal pathway to challenge federal policy.
Who’s affected. Non-citizens charged with theft: Would face mandatory federal detention even if they have not been convicted of a crime. · State Attorneys General: Gain the power to sue the federal government over its handling of immigration enforcement and parole. · Federal Immigration Agencies: Would be required to issue more detainers and likely face an increase in lawsuits from state governments.
Democrats. While the majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, 50 members crossed party lines to vote in favor.
Republicans. The Republican caucus voted unanimously in favor of the legislation.
On Passage
Jan 7, 2025
The House passed the Laken Riley Act, which requires federal authorities to detain certain non-citizens charged with theft and allows states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement.
This was a final vote to approve the bill in the House of Representatives. By voting 'yes,' members are supporting the bill becoming law and sending it to the Senate for the next stage of the process.
The bill will be sent to the Senate, where it must be debated and voted on before it can reach the President's desk.
This bill would significantly change immigration enforcement by expanding mandatory detention for individuals not yet convicted of a crime and giving states a new legal pathway to challenge federal policy.
The bill passed with a bipartisan majority, as a significant group of Democrats joined a unified Republican caucus in support.
While the majority of the Democratic caucus opposed the bill, 50 members crossed party lines to vote in favor.
The Republican caucus voted unanimously in favor of the legislation.
The single independent member voted in favor of the bill.