A bill making its way through Congress, the Laken Riley Act, has passed one house with significant support from Democrats, despite concerns over its potential impact on immigration detention and due process rights.
Named after a young woman killed by an undocumented immigrant, the bill would mandate federal detention for immigrants accused of theft and related crimes. It also gives states broad authority to bring lawsuits against federal immigration policy.
Supporters argue that the bill will improve public safety, but critics warn it could strain resources, infringe on due process rights, and create chaos in the federal system. The bill would require detaining undocumented immigrants even if they weren’t convicted and without a bond hearing.
Additionally, states would have automatic right to sue federal immigration policy decisions with financial losses exceeding $100. This provision has raised concerns that courts could become overwhelmed with lawsuits challenging every new regulation or policy memo, leaving broader issues in the US’s broken immigration system unresolved.
Advocates say the bill’s provisions are unconstitutional and pose serious human rights risks. If passed without amendments, it could sow chaos in the immigration system and leave millions of undocumented immigrants without a path to legal status. The Laken Riley Act highlights the need for meaningful reform of the US’s asylum system, processing at the border, and providing legal pathways to the country.
Source: https://www.vox.com/policy/395167/laken-riley-act-congress-immigration-detention-senate-trump