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Senate Passes Laken Riley Act 64-35, Includes 'Sarah's Law'

Jan 20, 2025, 11:41 PM

On January 20, 2025, the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act with a bipartisan 64-35 vote, marking the first piece of legislation approved in the new Congress following President Donald Trump's inauguration. Twelve Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, which aims to strengthen immigration enforcement by mandating that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented immigrants who are charged, arrested, or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assaulting law enforcement officers, and offenses resulting in death or bodily injury. Named after Laken Riley, a Georgia student who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man in the country illegally, the act reflects the new administration's commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration to prevent future tragedies. The Senate's version of the bill includes "Sarah's Law," an amendment named after Sarah Root, an Iowan killed by an undocumented immigrant in 2016, which passed with a bipartisan margin of 75-24. This provision ensures that ICE will detain and prosecute undocumented immigrants who harm or kill American citizens. Senator Katie Britt, who led the legislation, stated that passing the Laken Riley Act is a critical step toward making communities safer. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives, where it is expected to pass the amended version. If approved, it will be sent to President Trump's desk for his signature, potentially making it the first law signed in his second term.