A new bill introduced by a group of Democratic and independent senators aims to address immigration enforcement policy by allowing the federal government to request a court order for local authorities to hold immigrants charged with or convicted of violent crimes until they can be transferred to federal custody for deportation proceedings. This move reflects the Democrats' focus on immigration issues in an election year where immigration is expected to be a key topic.
The bill comes in response to the recent tragic killing of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia, which has prompted Republicans to highlight crimes committed by immigrants without legal status. The GOP-controlled House passed a bill named the 'Laken Riley Act' earlier this month, requiring federal authorities to detain such immigrants accused of theft.
The bipartisan Senate bill is sponsored by six senators, including Democrats from Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, as well as independent senators from Arizona and Maine. The senators emphasized the importance of providing law enforcement with the necessary tools to carry out their duties.
Democrats have taken a more assertive stance on immigration policy after a bipartisan asylum system overhaul proposal was rejected by Republicans. They are now advocating for tighter immigration laws while safeguarding the civil rights of immigrants. Some House Democrats have also formed a group focused on border security.
The Senate bill specifically targets immigrants, regardless of legal status, charged with or convicted of felonies, violent crimes, or posing a national security threat. It would empower U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to request a warrant from a judge to hold such individuals until they can be transferred to ICE custody.
While ICE currently issues detainers to local authorities to extend an individual's custody for deportation proceedings, local cooperation with ICE has been contentious, with concerns raised by civil rights groups about potential Fourth Amendment violations.
Republicans have pushed for the Senate to consider the 'Laken Riley Act,' but the proposal was blocked by a Democratic senator. In response, a Republican senator criticized the Democratic Party's stance on immigration, attributing preventable tragedies to their perceived support for open borders.
It remains uncertain whether the Senate Democratic leadership will advance the new bill. One of the bill's sponsors highlighted that it aims to address issues within the immigration system rather than demonize immigrants for political messaging.
