Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona has stepped into the spotlight by co-sponsoring a contentious immigration bill, the Laken Riley Act, making him the second Democratic senator to back the legislation.
Fox News reported that the Senate is set to vote on the bill Friday after its passage in the House, with the bill focusing on the enhanced detention and deportation of illegal immigrants committing certain crimes.
The Laken Riley Act mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must arrest and detain illegal immigrants if they commit crimes such as theft, burglary, or shoplifting. They are to be held until deportation.
The bill also empowers states to file lawsuits against federal agents who fail to apply the immigration laws. This move aims to establish accountability at the federal level.
The legislation was reintroduced in Congress by Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. It passed the House on Tuesday with a vote count of 264 to 159, garnering support from 48 Democrats.
The bill's passage in the House requires a 60-vote threshold in the Senate to bypass a legislative filibuster. Sen. Gallego's support gives the bill a crucial bipartisan edge. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is the other Democratic co-sponsor.
The bill holds the full support of Senate Republicans, showcasing its bipartisan appeal within the current political landscape. Gallego, representing a border state, emphasized the importance of addressing the border crisis effectively.
"Arizonans are familiar with the real-life impacts of the current border situation," said Sen. Gallego. He stressed the necessity of equipping law enforcement with tools to act when crimes are committed by illegal immigrants.
The act is named in memory of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student whose untimely death shook her community. Riley was found dead on the University of Georgia campus in February.
Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant, was convicted of her murder and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole this past November.
Sen. Katie Britt, the bill's original introducer in the Senate, expressed gratitude towards Sen. Gallego for co-sponsoring the legislation. She remarked that the bill is essential to ensuring the safety of American families.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, has slated the bill for a vote on Friday. The outcome of this vote is significant for Democrats, especially those facing re-election in 2026 in states carried by Trump.
Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who is up for re-election in two years, has announced his support for the bill. A crucial figure, Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, has so far remained silent on the issue.
This legislation puts Democrats in a difficult position, urging them to weigh its implications against their re-election prospects in battleground states like Michigan and Georgia.
Gallego won his Senate seat in the recent November elections, succeeding Kyrsten Sinema, previously an Independent senator representing Arizona. His victory came against Republican competitor Kari Lake.
Gallego had shown his support for the bill even during its prior consideration in the House. As an advocate for stronger immigration controls, he reinforced his commitment to comprehensive immigration reform and improved border security.
"I will stand firm in advocating for the security of Arizona residents," he stated, underlining his ongoing dedication to these issues.
As of now, the Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, although they currently operate with 52 due to the pending oath-taking ceremony for newly elected Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia.
The evolving dynamics in the Senate, coupled with the strategic importance of the Laken Riley Act, could bring significant repercussions for upcoming legislative agendas.
This developing scenario illustrates the complexities of immigration reform policy within the current bipartisan spectrum, underscoring the pivotal role of border state senators like Gallego in shaping the legislative future.
