Democrats to hand Trump an early win with ‘commonsense’ immigration bill

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Just a few days into his second term.

A bipartisan bill, aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, is on track to clear the House on Wednesday and arrive at Trump's desk by his third day in office.

"What's key is that we're demonstrating to the American public what we've seen in the recent election — folks like me and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) — that we'll work in a bipartisan way to bring common-sense solutions to border security," Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Democratic co-sponsor, told the Washington Examiner.

Trump secured his 2024 comeback victory by repeatedly campaigning on reducing illegal immigration and criticizing Democratic policies, which he argued led to a surge in migrant crime, including the killing of the namesake of one bill. About a year after Riley's murder, Trump will sign his first bill not only on the topic he's most known for but with support from both parties.

The proposed bill would mandate that federal authorities hold unlawful immigrants in custody on theft and violent offense charges until their deportation is finalized.

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, played down his recent bipartisan efforts with Republican Senator Trump after their recent meetings.

I'm not becoming a Republican just because I agree with some of their views.

The Laken Riley Act, which did not get a vote in the Democratic-led Senate last year and only had limited backing from the party, now has the support of many Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill. This bill passed the Senate recently, with 12 Democrats voting in its favor. Then, it passed the House earlier this month with 48 Democrats supporting it.

The policy change has sparked claims that it's a political move rather than a genuine response to constituent concerns.

“They would do whatever it takes to ensure their opposition to this measure stays intact in those regions and their grip on power remains, but they can't manipulate that to happen.”

"They have elections coming up. They're aware of the shifting landscape. It's the Trump era, at least for the next couple of years, so they're likely to take a cautious approach," added Angie Wong, a Miami GOP committee member and Florida delegate.

Several Democrats opposed to the bill were not enthusiastic to discuss their colleagues' support for legislation that they argue compromises due process rights and could lead to baseless charges resulting in the detention of minors and individuals brought to the country illegally by their parents.

"I'm not a political analyst," Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) said.

I don't get into discussing what my colleagues did or didn't do," said US Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat from Virginia. He felt the legislation raised a "very legitimate issue" but was "written very poorly because it rested its whole case on an arrest rather than a conviction.

Many Democrats strongly opposed a provision that would enable state attorneys general to file lawsuits more quickly against the federal government over its handling of illegal immigration.

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) refused to comment on why several of his colleagues voted for a measure despite previously opposing it.

"Should you need a response from those in question, you'd have to do so," Durbin, who aimed to include exemptions for "Dreamers," told the Washington Examiner.

of its passage.

Warnock claimed, "I didn't change my vote."

The law is named after a 22-year-old nursing student who was struck and killed while jogging at the University of Georgia by a Venezuelan immigrant who was arrested before but released. This development marks the beginning of a broader Republican effort to require votes on specific policies that will challenge Democrats to take their side, according to a senior Republican aide. The Senate plans to vote on a bill, already passed by the House, that aims to restrict transgender athletes in women's sports.

But conservative activists are also urging GOP leaders in the House to introduce more extensive proposals that line up with Trump's agenda.

The Problems and Opportunities with Trump's Mass Deportation Plan

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The Laken Riley Act is a commendable bill. It is a conservative, bipartisan initial step toward reversing the historic influx of inadmissible aliens that were admitted during the last four years," Beck said. "However, it won't achieve the goal that voters asked for on its own.