The U.S. House could approve legislation named for a murdered Georgia nursing student as soon as Wednesday, allowing President Donald Trump to make it the first bill he signs into law since reclaiming the White House.
The Laken Riley Act would give federal immigration agencies broad authority to detain undocumented immigrants accused of a crime. It was approved on the Senate floor Monday with the help of 12 Democrats, including Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. The final tally was 64-35.
The original language, which the House has already approved, allowed law enforcement agencies to detain and begin deportation procedures for migrants accused of nonviolent crimes like burglary and theft. A Senate amendment added assault on law enforcement officers to the list of eligible offenses, and a second amendment approved Monday broadened the measure further to include “any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person.”
The House is likely to give the measure final passage Wednesday afternoon, which means it would be sent to Trump by the end of the week.
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