The Laken Riley Law It is a legislative project promoted by the Republican party In the United States that seeks to grant greater power to states to enforce immigration laws and harden the detention of immigrants accused of certain crimes. The legislation was approved in the House of Representatives And now it advances in the Senatewhere some Democrats have given their support, although most of the party opposes the measure. Republicans will need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate for final approval.
The bill bears the name of Laken Rileya university student of 22 years which was killed in February 2024 by an undocumented immigrant who had been arrested and released several times. Associated Press (AP) reported that the attacker, José Antonio Ibarrawas arrested in Texas in 2022 by illegal entry to the country and subsequently released. This case was used as an argument by the president Donald Trump and other Republicans to hold the former president’s administration responsible Joe Biden for its immigration policy.
The law introduces significant changes in the management of immigration by the federal government, highlighting two main aspects:
1. More power for states
According to CNNLaken Riley law would allow states like Texas demand al National Security Department (DHS) and other federal bodies when they consider that immigration laws are not strictly applying. In this sense, legislation:
- Empowers state general prosecutors to challenge in federal courts the decisions of the DHS or of immigration judges that order the release of migrants arrested for crimes in their territories.
- Allows states to demand the federal government if they consider that is not complying with mandatory arrest of certain migrants.
- It can be able to general prosecutors to request judicial orders that force the State Department to stop issuing visas to countries that Do not accept repatriation of its deported citizens of the United States.
- According to Aaron Reichlin-Melnickof the American Immigration Councilthis provision would allow a state attorney general, such as Ken Paxton in Texasblock visas of work or tourism for citizens of China either India considering that these countries do not cooperate with deportations.
2. Compulsory detention of immigrants accused of crimes
The bill also hardens the rules on immigrant detention in the United States. AP points out that, if approved, the norm would force federal agents to detain any undocumented immigrant who has been accused or arrested For crimes like:
- Theft and thefteven if they are non -violent crimes.
- Aggression to a police officer.
- Any crime that causes injuries or the death of another person.
Alabama senator, Katie Brittone of the drives of the measure, defended the legislation by declaring that “If you enter illegally and commit a crime, you should not be free in the streets of this country”according to statements collected by AP.
On the other hand, critics of the project warn that the law could cause immigrants arrest Without due process. New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez He argued that he would allow stop and deport people only with an accusationwithout the right to judgment, which considers a Violation of civil rightshe reported AP.
Republican support and some Democrats
The bill has been promoted mainly by Republicans, but Some Democrats have also voted in favorespecially those of states in electoral dispute. According to data from AP46 Democrats in the House of Representatives and 12 in the Senate They have supported the measure.
- Democratic senator John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) He said he voted in favor because he considers that the United States needs a Safe border.
- Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego (Arizona)of Latin origin, declared that the law is a tool for authorities to act when Immigrants commit crimes.
- Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) justified his vote saying that “anyone who commits a crime must be accountable. ”
Opposition of most Democrats
Despite the support of some legislators, most Democrats reject the initiative. In accordance with statements collected by APthe main reasons are:
- Possible violation of civil rights: would allow immigrants to stop No prior trialaccording to Ocasio-Cortez.
- Lack of financing: The law imposes new obligations without providing federal authorities with resources. A report of Congress Assignments Committee He estimates that it would cost 83,000 million dollars in three years.
- Impact on International Relations: The Democratic Senator Chris Murphy (Connecticut) warned that allowing a judge to block visas could generate diplomatic conflicts.
Yes Laken Riley Law It is approved and promulgated, it is likely to face legal challenges. CNN points out that the norm seeks revoke precedents of the Supreme Court of the United Stateswhich could lead to demands from civil rights defenders.
