The Laken Riley Act is a legislative measure aimed at expanding the U.S. government's authority to detain undocumented immigrants who have been charged with or convicted of certain crimes. Here’s a brief summary:
Detention Requirement: The Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security take into custody undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury, including assault on law enforcement officers.
State Attorney General Authority: It allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their state or its residents are harmed by immigration policies, particularly if immigrants charged with these crimes are not detained.
Legislative Journey: The bill passed both the House and the Senate with bipartisan support in early 2025, marking it as one of the first bills to be signed by President Donald Trump in his new term.
Background: The Act is named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant in 2024, highlighting its focus on public safety and immigration enforcement. 17GEN4.com
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