House Greenlights Expanded Laken Riley Act, Threatening American Families and Empowering Anti-Immigrant Attorneys General

22 JANUARY 2025

The expanded bill escalates mandatory detention for minor infractions and grants extremist AGs unconstitutional power.

Washington, D.C – The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to pass the Laken Riley Act, advancing a bill that will expand the mass detention and deportation of immigrants in the U.S., while granting extremist state attorneys general unconstitutional power over immigration enforcement. Already a dangerous piece of legislation, new additions added by the Senate further expanded existing mandatory detention provisions, heightening the devastating impact on immigrant families and communities.

Statement from Kerri Talbot, Co-Executive Director of the Immigration Hub:

“It is deeply concerning and profoundly disappointing to see Congress not only pass the Laken Riley Act but expand its already dangerous and unjust provisions. This bill was extreme from the start, and the Senate’s additions make it even more harmful, mandating indefinite detention for immigrants–even children and pregnant women–over minor infractions and handing unprecedented power to anti-immigrant state attorneys general like Ken Paxton.

“The Laken Riley Act does nothing to improve public safety. Instead, it destabilizes families, undermines federal immigration authority, and sows chaos in our courts and communities. Americans overwhelmingly reject cruel and chaotic policies like this and support humane, balanced reforms that include pathways to citizenship for those who contribute to our country.

“As President Donald Trump continues to lay bare his sweeping, dangerous immigration agenda–through both executive actions and legislative efforts–we call on lawmakers to reject shortsighted policies like this bill. Instead, they must focus on real solutions that protect American families and uphold the principles that define our nation.”

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The Immigration Hub is a national organization dedicated to advancing fair and just immigration policies through strategic leadership, innovative communications strategies, legislative advocacy and collaborative partnerships.

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