Laken Riley Act
Summary
Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2025
House Passage
Jan 2025
Signed into Law
Jan 2025
Introduced Jan 6, 2025
Signed Jan 29, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2025 · House Jan 22, 2025
How they voted
64–35
Passed
Total votes 99
Jan 20, 2025
D
Democratic45
73% Nay
I
Independent2
100% Nay
R
Republican52
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
36
Key actions
7
Committee
1
Jan 29, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by President.
executive
Jan 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rule H. Res. 53 passed House.
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 53 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7. (text: CR S250-251)
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7.
upper
Jan 6, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
upper
Jan 6, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 53 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Katie Boyd Britt
RRepublican
Co
Bernie Moreno
RRepublican
Co
Bill Cassidy
RRepublican
Co
Bill Hagerty
RRepublican
Co
Chuck Grassley
RRepublican
Co
Cindy Hyde-Smith
RRepublican
Co
Cynthia M. Lummis
RRepublican
Co
Dan Sullivan
RRepublican
Co
David McCormick
RRepublican
Co
Deb Fischer
RRepublican
Co
Eric Schmitt
RRepublican
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