Norma was proposed after the murder of student Laken Riley; the accused is a Venezuelan who entered the country illegally
A approved this Wednesday (22 January 2025) the Laken Riley Law, which determines the detention of immigrants involved in crimes such as robbery, theft and embezzlement by the (Department of Internal Security – in Portuguese). The text of the law was published in English .
The text, written by the Republican senator from Alabama, was approved with 263 votes in favor and 156 against. All votes against came from Democratic representatives, while those in favor included 217 Republicans and 46 Democrats. The measure was approved in the on Monday (January 20) and now goes to presidential sanction.
The rule was proposed after the murder of student Laken Riley in Georgia. The main accused is a Venezuelan who allegedly entered the country illegally. During his presidential campaign, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump (Republican) that immigrants “they are animals” e “poison the country’s blood”. Trump even referred to the suspect as “illegal alien animal”.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
The legislation requires that the (Department of Homeland Security – in Portuguese) detain immigrants without proper documentation or illegally staying in the United States who are accused of or confess to crimes such as robbery and theft.
Furthermore, the law authorizes North American states to sue the federal government in cases such as:
- release of immigrants from custody;
- failures to screen people applying for entry into the U.S., including asylum interviews;
- non-compliance with visa suspension requirements;
- violations of limitations on immigrant parole;
- non-detention of immigrants with deportation orders.
The text also allows States to seek precautionary measures against the federal government, as long as they prove financial losses exceeding US$100. The full text of the law was published in English on Congress’s official website.
MAIN IMPLICATIONS
Approved with majority support from Republicans, the law expands state powers to monitor and detain immigrants, in addition to reinforcing the rigor in the application of immigration laws. On the other hand, critics warn that the legislation could open the door for abuse against immigrants and overwhelm the United States immigration system.
