Laken Riley Act expands mandatory detention, lets states sue over enforcement
Signed into lawS. 5Latest action
Sponsor: Katie Boyd Britt · Senator · AL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Laken Riley Act
119th Congress
Topics: Immigration
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The law expands mandatory detention to cover theft and assault-on-officer charges, even without conviction.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This law requires DHS to detain non-citizens who are in the country illegally and have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admitted to crimes like theft, shoplifting, burglary, larceny, or assaulting a police officer. Detention can be triggered by a charge or arrest alone, not just conviction. It also lets state attorneys general sue the federal government over enforcement decisions like releases, parole, or bond grants.
Who does it affect?
Non-citizens facing criminal charges (even without conviction), DHS, the Department of Justice, and state governments are affected.
Why does it matter?
The law broadens who must be detained and gives states new legal power to challenge federal immigration enforcement decisions in court, with courts directed to fast-track these lawsuits.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govNo call to make
This is law.
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 6, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: the president signed it. It's law.Now law
Latest action: — Became Public Law No: 119-1.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 23
As recorded
- Question
- On Passage
- Result:
- Passed
- 263
- Nay
- 156
- 0
- 14
Republicans 217 yes, 1 not voting · Democrats 46 yes, 156 no, 13 not voting
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 7
As recorded
- Question
- On Passage of the Bill S. 5
- Result:
- Bill Passed
- 64
- Nay
- 35
- 0
- 0
Republicans 52 yes · Democrats 12 yes, 33 no · Independents 2 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 6
As recorded
- Question
- On the Amendment S.Amdt. 8 to S. 5 (No short title on file)
- Result:
- Amendment Agreed to
- 75
- Nay
- 24
- 0
- 0
Republicans 52 yes · Democrats 22 yes, 23 no · Independents 1 yes, 1 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
5 earlier votes
Senate · · Roll call 5
As recorded
- Question
- On the Motion S. 5
- Result:
- Cloture Motion Agreed to
- 61
- Nay
- 35
- 0
- 3
Republicans 51 yes, 1 not voting · Democrats 10 yes, 33 no, 2 not voting · Independents 2 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 4
As recorded
- Question
- On the Amendment S.Amdt. 23 to S. 5 (No short title on file)
- Result:
- Amendment Rejected
- 46
- Nay
- 49
- 0
- 4
Republicans 49 no, 3 not voting · Democrats 44 yes, 1 not voting · Independents 2 yes
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 3
As recorded
- Question
- On the Amendment S.Amdt. 14 to S.Amdt. 8 to S. 5 (No short title on file)
- Result:
- Amendment Agreed to
- 70
- Nay
- 25
- 0
- 4
Republicans 49 yes, 3 not voting · Democrats 21 yes, 23 no, 1 not voting · Independents 2 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 2
As recorded
- Question
- On the S. 5
- Result:
- Motion to Proceed Agreed to
- 82
- Nay
- 10
- 0
- 6
Republicans 49 yes, 2 not voting · Democrats 32 yes, 9 no, 4 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
Senate · · Roll call 1
As recorded
- Question
- On S. 5
- Result:
- Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to
- 84
- Nay
- 9
- 0
- 6
Republicans 51 yes, 1 not voting · Democrats 32 yes, 8 no, 5 not voting · Independents 1 yes, 1 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record