US Senate advances Laken Riley Act aimed at curbing crime by migrants

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Senate advanced the Laken Riley Act on Thursday, which is aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.

Senators cleared the first vote 84-9. The bill passed the Republican-led House 264-159 earlier this week.

The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-US nationals who have been arrested for "burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting." It also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.

However, it is uncertain yet whether it will receive enough support for final passage as many Democrats have suggested amendments to the bill.

"This is an important issue. We should have a debate and amendments,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the Senate floor.

"To remind my colleagues, this is not a vote on the bill itself. It is a motion to proceed, a vote that says we should have a debate and should have amendments," he added.