WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted Monday to advance a bill aimed at imposing mandatory immigration detention for individuals charged with property crimes and granting broader legal standing to state attorneys general.
In a decisive 82-10 vote, the bill gained substantial support from Senate Republicans and Democrats. Thirty-two Senate Democrats, along with one independent, joined Republicans in backing the legislation. Notably, nine Democrats opposed the measure, including Sens. Tina Smith (MN), Ben Ray Luján (NM), Jeff Merkley (OR), Andy Kim and Cory Booker (NJ), Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono (HI). Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont also voted against the bill.
The proposed legislation, designated as S. 5, is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia who was tragically murdered last month. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, called the bill a “common sense measure” that should receive unanimous approval from senators.
The bill stems from the case of Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old migrant from Venezuela who was charged with Riley’s murder. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reports that Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested in Georgia for shoplifting, and was later released before committing the alleged murder.
“This bill is a straightforward and sensible response to a tragic crime,” Thune stated on the Senate floor. “It would be disappointing if Democrats attempted to derail it with unrelated amendments.”
On the other side, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concerns about the bill’s progression, emphasizing the need for debate and amendment votes. “We will ask our Republican colleagues to allow for debate and votes on amendments,” Schumer said. “I hope they will cooperate.”
The bill mandates that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security detain immigrants charged or arrested for crimes such as theft, burglary, or shoplifting. These individuals would not be eligible for release on bond. The measure applies not only to individuals without legal status but also to immigrants with temporary legal protections, such as those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Additionally, the bill expands the legal authority of state attorneys general, granting them the power to challenge federal immigration policies, visa issuance procedures, and decisions made by immigration judges regarding bond releases.
The legislation had already passed the House of Representatives last year, but Senate Majority Leader Schumer chose not to bring it to a vote when Democrats held control of the chamber. However, the bill has gained renewed momentum, with growing bipartisan support. Last week, 32 Senate Democrats and one independent voted in favor of a procedural motion to advance the bill.
As border security remains a central issue, particularly following President-elect Donald Trump’s election campaign, the House passed its version of the bill last week, gaining more Democratic support than in previous votes.
This bill’s next steps remain uncertain as discussions continue in both chambers of Congress.
