U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES IMMIGRATION BILL REQUIRING THE DETENTION OF ANY MIGRANT WHO COMMITS BURGLARY OR THEFT

On March 7, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill called the Laken Riley Act, that would require the detention of any migrant who committed burglary or theft. The legislation that House Republicans passed is named after a Georgia student who police say was killed by a man who illegally crossed the border.

The bill will represent a dramatic shift in detention policy if it becomes law. Those arrested for nonviolent crimes have not been prioritized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) for detention and removal. 

However, this bill would require detention of those “arrested for, convicted of, who admit having committed, or who admit committing acts which constitute the essential elements of any burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offense”.

The bill is not yet in effect as it must pass in the U.S. Senate and be signed into law by the President before it becomes effective. 

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