US House Starts Addressing Trump's Immigration Crackdown

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On Tuesday, US lawmakers voted to expand pre-trial detention for foreign criminal suspects as the new Congress, now under Republican control, works to fulfill Donald Trump’s promise to crack down on illegal immigration.

The Laken Riley Act, named after a 22-year-old student murdered by an undocumented Venezuelan man wanted for shoplifting, mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes.

"As promised, we’re starting today with border security. If you ask voters, they’ll tell you that’s their top concern," Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters before the vote in the House of Representatives. "We have a lot to fix here — it's a disaster because of the past four years — and the Laken Riley Act is a big part of that."

This legislation, the first bill of the new session, had passed the House last year, with Republicans eager to emphasize what they see as weak border security policies under President Joe Biden. Although it stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate, it is expected to be voted on in the newly Republican-led chamber, following the results of November’s elections.

The bill will likely need support from at least eight Democrats to pass and could face a block from the opposition party, even though it has a co-sponsor in centrist Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania.

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark’s office criticized Republicans for using a tragedy for political gain, stating that the bill would expand detentions without adding funding.

Ultimately, the bill passed in the House by a vote of 264 to 159, with 48 Democrats voting in favor — a slight increase from when it was last considered.

Trump has promised to intensify efforts against illegal border crossings and carry out mass deportations once he assumes office on January 20. He has appointed Tom Homan, a former immigration official, as his "border czar."

Trump often mentioned Laken Riley’s case during his campaign as he condemned undocumented migrants, blaming them for “poisoning the blood” of the country.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was convicted of her murder after her body was found in a wooded area at the University of Georgia in Athens.

“The Laken Riley Act is a crucial step toward ensuring that criminal illegal aliens are swiftly and permanently removed from our communities and our country,” said Republican House Whip Tom Emmer. “This bill is more than just a piece of legislation.

It represents a return to common sense American values. Under President Trump’s leadership, there will be more of this as we restore the rule of law and put Americans first again.”