The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 29, a bill that mandates ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detain undocumented immigrants arrested or charged with nonviolent crimes, even if they are not convicted. The bill covers offenses such as burglary, theft, larceny, and shoplifting, and is expected to affect DACA recipients, minors, and unaccompanied children.
The House vote, which passed 263 to 156, sends the first version of the bill to President Donald Trump for signing into law. Earlier this week, the Senate approved the same measure with amendments to expand the list of criminal offenses covered under the bill. These amendments include assault on law enforcement officers and crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia student killed while out for a run last year. An undocumented migrant from Venezuela was convicted and sentenced to life without parole for the crime, which sparked a nationwide debate over immigration and its connection to crime.
Additionally, the bill gives state Attorneys General the authority to seek injunctions against the federal government’s immigration policies, which could lead to numerous lawsuits and create challenges within the federal court system.
Once signed into law, the bill will dramatically reshape U.S. immigration policy and its enforcement, impacting immigrant communities and the broader national conversation on crime and immigration.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
