12 Senate Democrats Join GOP to Pass Laken Riley Act as Trump Assumes Presidency

On Monday, twelve Democratic U.S. Senators aligned with Republicans to approve the Laken Riley Act, an immigration bill criticized as an extreme conservative maneuver. This occurred just as Donald Trump, a Republican, was inaugurated for his second presidential term.

These Democrats included Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), Mark Warner (Va.), and Raphael Warnock (Ga.). Noteworthy among them, Fetterman and Gallego were co-sponsors of the bill.

The bill, named after a 22-year-old woman from Georgia who was killed by a Venezuelan immigrant last year, was initially passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month with a 264-159 vote, gaining the support of 48 Democrats. It requires another approval by the House before President Trump can sign it into law.

“I just voted against the Laken Riley Act,”
stated Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This bill fails to achieve its objectives. I am disappointed with its passage as it is, and I am deeply worried about its implementation.”

Before the Senate’s 64-35 vote, over 70 national organizations wrote to Congress members arguing that “the tragic murder of Laken Riley does not warrant such drastic changes to immigration detention laws, which like all obligatory incarceration measures, will only lead to increased discrimination and do little to enhance public safety.”

The coalition urging opposition to the bill explained:

S. 5 would mandate the detention—without bond—of undocumented individuals merely
arrested for or charged with specific offenses, including minor theft. It does not require a conviction. There is no time limit, and the bill lacks any procedure for individuals to challenge their immigration detention or the criminal accusations against them (if any are pursued). Such mandatory detention based merely on an arrest is unprecedented and would likely lead to abuses disproportionately affecting people of color.

We are also concerned about provisions in the bill that would allow states to sue the federal government over claims of improper enforcement of immigration laws, including detention and deportation measures, visa regulations, or discretionary parole powers. These provisions would likely result in a surge of lawsuits and allow states to significantly influence federal immigration policy.

“Laken Riley should still be with us. Her murder was a horrible crime, and the guilty party should face full consequences,”
expressed Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) after the vote. “However, the Laken Riley Act contains severe clauses that will have far-reaching impacts beyond its intention of detaining undocumented individuals like the one who killed Laken Riley. Particularly, it mandates the incarceration of undocumented minors who have not been charged or convicted of any crime. This is perverse.”

“We have repeatedly seen the harm that the federal government can inflict on our children with harsh immigration policies like this,” he continued. “I will keep pushing for measures that ensure our safety, repair America’s flawed immigration system, and fortify our border security. Our families and communities deserve nothing less.”

As Trump commenced his presidential term, he began to enforce his stringent anti-immigration stance with numerous executive orders. The Republican, who has previously campaigned on massive deportations and the abolition of birthright citizenship, is anticipated to sign the Laken Riley Act once it is finalized.

“Trump’s initial actions as president reveal exactly his character and his views on America,” stated Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.). “While he spoke of unity, his first actions in office were to incite fear and promote division. While he mentioned a ‘golden age,’ he signed executive orders that are unconstitutional and un-American, undermining equality initiatives, criminalizing immigrants, terminating asylum, retracting climate change measures, and jeopardizing our national security. An America that strips civil rights, denies refuge to those fleeing persecution, or compromises the environmental future for coming generations is far from great.”

“I believe America reaches its highest potential when we strive for justice, equality, and peace, and respect our shared humanity,” she concluded. “As a daughter of immigrants, a citizen by birthright, and a representative from a district that values our diversity, I am prepared to fight for the soul of our nation. No matter the president, I will continue advocating for policies that the working populace needs: affordable housing and healthcare, well-paying jobs, clean air and water, public safety, and comprehensive immigration reform.”