Later this week, the House of Representatives is poised to deliberate on the Laken Riley Act, following its recent passage in the Senate, as noted by Politico.
Legislation Overview
This significant piece of legislation received backing from twelve Democratic senators, who joined forces with their Republican counterparts to support immigration reform.
The act carries the name of Laken Riley, a young woman, just 22 years old, who tragically lost her life in Georgia last year due to an incident involving an undocumented immigrant.
Immigration experts predict that the ramifications of this bill could also affect international students looking to study in the United States.
Key Provisions of the Act
At its essence, the Laken Riley Act seeks to impose tougher detention rules for undocumented immigrants facing criminal charges.
It also enhances the powers of state attorneys general, giving them the ability to initiate lawsuits against the federal government and enforce sweeping visa bans on countries that refuse to take back their deported citizens.
Funding Concerns
In response to the legislation, the Department of Homeland Security has stated that implementing its provisions would require billions in additional funding.
Having already passed a similar version earlier this month that wasn’t quite the same, the bill now makes its way back to the House.
If it secures endorsement there, it will head to President Donald Trump for consideration, marking a significant step forward in one of his administration’s primary focuses: immigration reform.
Source: Insidehighered