section_path: Laken Riley Act
section_name: Laken Riley Act
paragraph_text: Laken Riley Act
  
  On March 7, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act in a 251–170 vote, with 37 Democratic members joining all Republican members in voting for the bill. If enacted, the Laken Riley Act would mandate federal detention of illegal immigrants who are arrested for burglary or theft and would allow states to file suit against the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws. The bill stalled amid opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate in the 118th Congress.
  
  On January 7, 2025, the Laken Riley Act again passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 264–159. All Republican members voted for the bill, with 48 Democratic members joining in support of it as well. This also marked the first piece of legislation passed by the House of Representatives in the newly elected 119th Congress, which began on January 3, 2025. The Senate passed an amended version of the bill on January 20, 2025, with all Republicans and 12 Democrats voting in favor, which was also passed in the House on January 22.
  
  President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on January 29, 2025.
  
  On March 7, 2024, the House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act in a 251–170 vote, with 37 Democratic members joining all Republican members in voting for the bill. If enacted, the Laken Riley Act would mandate federal detention of illegal immigrants who are arrested for burglary or theft and would allow states to file suit against the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws. The bill stalled amid opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate in the 118th Congress.
  
  On January 7, 2025, the Laken Riley Act again passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 264–159. All Republican members voted for the bill, with 48 Democratic members joining in support of it as well. This also marked the first piece of legislation passed by the House of Representatives in the newly elected 119th Congress, which began on January 3, 2025. The Senate passed an amended version of the bill on January 20, 2025, with all Republicans and 12 Democrats voting in favor, which was also passed in the House on January 22.
  
  President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on January 29, 2025.