AP reported that the US House of Representatives on January 22 passed the Laken Riley Act, named after a nursing student in Georgia who was murdered by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant last year. Previously, the Senate passed the bill.
American churches and schools are no longer safe havens for illegal immigrants under President Trump
The bill requires the arrest of illegal immigrants accused of theft or violence. According to CNN, the law allows state attorneys general to sue in federal court to overturn federal rulings to release certain immigrants. Attorneys general can also sue to force the State Department to issue visa bans to countries that refuse to accept citizens facing deportation.
The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on January 22 with 263 votes in favor, including 46 Democratic lawmakers, and 156 votes against.
President Donald Trump spoke at the White House on January 21
The bill passed by Congress is a big victory for President Trump, who has a tough immigration policy. This will likely be the first law enacted during Mr. Trump’s second term.
Immediately after taking office on January 20, President Trump signed a series of executive orders, including declaring a state of emergency at the US border with Mexico, allowing law enforcement to go to places such as churches, schools arrest illegal immigrants and initiate the process of ending birthright citizenship.
The Pentagon is also sending 1,500 troops to the Mexican border to join the 2,500 National Guard members already there to provide logistical support for border patrols.
