The Laken Riley Act could lead to mass deportations and affect many immigrants, including children
Washington: The U.S. Senate is pushing a bill that immigration lawyers say could have serious effects. They worry it might flood federal courts with lawsuits and lead to quick detentions and deportations for many migrants, including kids.
This bill, called the Laken Riley Act, aims to expand immigrant detention and give state attorneys general more power to challenge federal immigration rules. Experts believe it could help President Trump fulfill his promise of mass deportations.
The act is named after Laken Riley, a young woman who was tragically murdered. The man convicted of her murder had entered the U.S. illegally and had previous shoplifting charges but wasn’t detained by immigration authorities.
In a time when immigration is a hot topic, the bill has surprisingly gained support from both parties. Many Democrats joined Republicans to push it forward in the House and Senate.
Senate Democrats see this as a chance to debate and possibly amend the bill, but it’s uncertain if Republicans will agree to that. The bill’s main sponsor, Senator Katie Britt, insists it targets only criminal illegal immigrants.
However, immigration lawyers argue that the bill could also affect legal immigrants and even children. They say it could lead to detaining kids and complicate visa processes internationally.
One attorney pointed out that if someone is detained without a lawyer, they could end up with a conviction that leads to deportation. This could create a cycle of mass deportation.
Concerns also arise about racial disparities in policing. The bill could worsen these issues by allowing arrests to trigger immigration detention, impacting communities of color disproportionately.
If passed, the bill would empower state attorneys general to challenge federal immigration laws, which could lead to chaos in the courts. This could even affect international relations, as states might push for visa bans against countries that refuse to take back deported nationals.
While the bill focuses on mandatory detention for certain crimes, it could also impact those with legal statuses like DACA. If a DACA recipient is arrested, they could lose their status and face detention.
Immigrants with green cards are generally safe unless they violate immigration laws. But the bill’s vague language raises concerns about how it might apply to those with Temporary Protected Status.
Critics highlight that the bill doesn’t protect children from mandatory detention, which could lead to serious consequences for young people who make mistakes, like shoplifting groceries.
Mandatory detention is already a harsh reality for many immigrants, and this bill would expand it significantly. It could lead to people being detained for minor offenses without a chance for a bond hearing.
Overall, the bill raises many questions about fairness and the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. It’s a complex issue that could have lasting impacts on countless lives.
