Laken Riley Act
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedThe Laken Riley Act: Plain-English Summary
The Laken Riley Act is a federal immigration law that requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain certain immigrants who are in the country without legal authorization if they have been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of specific crimes. These crimes include theft, burglary, violence, and crimes that result in death or serious bodily injury. Importantly, the law can apply even if the person has only been *arrested* — not necessarily convicted — of one of these offenses. The law is named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was killed in 2024, allegedly by a person who had entered the country illegally.
Before this law, federal immigration authorities had more discretion about whether to detain someone based on local criminal charges. This law removes much of that discretion and makes detention mandatory in these specific situations. It also gives state attorneys general new legal standing to sue the federal government if they believe immigration officials are not following through on these detention requirements.
This law affects undocumented immigrants who are arrested for the listed offenses, as they would face mandatory federal immigration detention while their cases are handled. It also affects state and local governments, who may interact more directly with federal immigration enforcement. For the general public, supporters say it enhances community safety, while others have raised concerns about detaining people based on arrests before guilt is proven — though the law itself does not take a position on that debate.
This became the first law signed by President Trump in his second term, taking effect as Public Law 119-1 in January 2025.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-1.
January 29, 2025
Sponsor
Legislative History
Became Public Law No: 119-1.
Jan 29, 2025Signed by President.
Jan 29, 2025Signed by President.
Jan 29, 2025Became Public Law No: 119-1.
Jan 29, 2025Presented to President.
Jan 23, 2025Presented to President.
Jan 23, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jan 22, 2025Rule H. Res. 53 passed House.
Jan 22, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 53. (consideration: CR H277-284)
Jan 22, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.
Jan 22, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 5.
Jan 22, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jan 22, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of the debate on S. 5, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
Jan 22, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285-286)
Jan 22, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
Jan 22, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278)
Jan 22, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jan 21, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 53 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.
Jan 21, 2025Held at the desk.
Jan 21, 2025Received in the House.
Jan 21, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S246-251)
Jan 20, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7.
Jan 20, 2025Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7. (text: CR S250-251)
Jan 20, 2025Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 61 - 35. Record Vote Number: 5. (CR S240)
Jan 17, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S237-241)
Jan 17, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S198-218)
Jan 16, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S161-182)
Jan 15, 2025Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S182)
Jan 15, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S130)
Jan 14, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 10. Record Vote Number: 2. (CR S87)
Jan 13, 2025Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S83)
Jan 13, 2025Measure laid before Senate by motion.
Jan 13, 2025Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S70)
Jan 9, 2025Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 9. Record Vote Number: 1. (CR S73)
Jan 9, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S46)
Jan 8, 2025Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S46)
Jan 8, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1.
Jan 7, 2025Introduced in Senate
Jan 6, 2025Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jan 6, 2025