Senate Republicans advanced a bill with Democratic support that would greatly expand immigration detention, a key focus of President-elect Donald Trump’s platform. The legislation, known as S. 5 and sponsored by Alabama’s Katie Britt, passed a procedural vote with 32 Senate Democrats and one independent backing it. The bill would require mandatory detention for immigrants accused of petty crimes like shoplifting, potentially impacting even those with legal status. Critics, like Voto Latino’s Maria Teresa Kumar, argue that this would lead to widespread family separation and undermine due process.
The bill also gives broader authority for state attorneys general to challenge federal immigration law and bond decisions. The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant. The House passed a similar bill, and with a Republican-controlled government, the legislation has a strong chance of becoming law. Many Democrats supported the bill, signaling a shift towards a stricter stance on immigration. The bill is seen as controversial by immigration advocates, who fear its impact on vulnerable migrant communities.
Source
Photo credit kansasreflector.com
