Bipartisan Support Grows for Laken Riley Act Impacting Immigration and Student Visas

The bipartisan Laken Riley Act, aimed at tougher immigration enforcement and approved by the Senate, awaits House consideration before heading to President Trump.

Later this week, the House is set to debate the Laken Riley Act following its passage in the Senate on Monday, according to Politico.

Bipartisan Support for Immigration Reform

This immigration reform legislation has garnered notable bipartisan support, with a dozen Democratic senators joining Republicans to back the bill.

Named in honor of 22-year-old Laken Riley, who was tragically killed by an undocumented immigrant in Georgia last year, the bill seeks to reshape various aspects of immigration policy.

Experts suggest it could have significant implications for international students looking to study in the U.S.

Key Provisions of the Laken Riley Act

At its core, the proposed bill focuses on tightening detention protocols for undocumented immigrants who face criminal accusations.

Furthermore, it empowers state attorneys general with broader authority, allowing them to take legal action against the federal government and impose extensive visa restrictions on countries that refuse to accept deported individuals.

Funding and Legislative Process

The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that enforcing this legislation will require billions of dollars in additional funding.

The House had already reviewed a similar proposal earlier this month, and now it will reconsider this latest version.

If the House approves it, the bill will move on to President Donald Trump.

This could mark an early legislative win in his ongoing attempts to tackle immigration reform.

Source: Insidehighered