Laken Riley Act
2/12/2025, 2:53 AMSummary of Bill HR 29
Bill 119 hr 29, also known as the "Alien Theft Detention Act," is a piece of legislation that aims to address the issue of aliens who have been charged with theft in the United States. The bill specifically requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take custody of these individuals, ensuring that they are detained while their cases are being processed.The main purpose of this bill is to prevent aliens who have been charged with theft from fleeing or evading the legal system. By mandating that these individuals be held in custody, the bill seeks to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions and do not pose a threat to society.
In addition to addressing the issue of alien theft, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes. While the specific details of these additional purposes are not outlined in the summary, it is clear that the bill aims to improve the enforcement of immigration laws and enhance public safety. Overall, Bill 119 hr 29 is a targeted piece of legislation that seeks to address a specific issue within the realm of immigration and law enforcement. By requiring the detention of aliens charged with theft, the bill aims to uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of the American people.
Congressional Summary of HR 29
Laken Riley Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.
Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a
- decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody;
- failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews;
- failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country;
- violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or
- failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
