Congress approves bill to detain undocumented immigrants

2025-01-23 14:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The House of Representatives finally approved a bill on Wednesday that would allow authorities to detain undocumented immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes.

This could be the first law that President Donald Trump can sign as Congress, with bipartisan support, is rapidly moving forward with Mr. Trump's plans to crack down on illegal immigration.

The bill is known as the Laken Riley Act, the nursing student from Georgia who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan national who had illegally entered the United States.

Immigration policy has often been one of the most debated issues in Congress, but a faction of 46 Democrats joined Republicans in enabling the bill to pass by a vote of 263 to 156.

"For decades, it has been nearly impossible for our government to agree on a solution to the problems at our border and within our country," said Senator Katie Britt. She added that this is "perhaps the most important bill to pass Congress in nearly three decades."

Implementing the bill would require a massive increase in the capacity of immigration and customs agencies, but it does not provide for any new funding.

"What he (President Trump) is doing is the beginning of what will be our legislative agenda," said Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The vast majority of Americans are in favor of deporting immigrants convicted of violent crimes, according to a recent poll conducted by the Center for Public Affairs Research and the Associated Press.

However, only about 37% of adult Americans are in favor of deporting immigrants to the US who have not been convicted of criminal offenses.

"While the bill is not perfect, it sends a clear message that we think criminals should be deported," said Democratic lawmaker Tom Suozzi, who has called on his party to support tougher immigration policies.

Meanwhile, President Trump has issued a slew of executive orders aimed at closing the border with Mexico and deporting millions of immigrants without permanent legal status in the US.

On Wednesday, Mr. Trump canceled the refugee program and his administration has signaled intentions to prosecute those American officials of various countries who do not implement his new immigration policies./ VOA