WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 5 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-1

Laken Riley Act

Became lawImmigration
IntroducedJan 6, 2025
Passed SenateJan 20, 2025
Passed HouseJan 22, 2025
To PresidentJan 23, 2025
Became lawJan 29, 2025

What it does

Sourced

Laken Riley Act

This act 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, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.

Under this act, 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 the above crimes.

The act 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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Jan 29, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-01-29Became Public Law No: 119-1.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-01-29Became Public Law No: 119-1.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-01-29Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-01-29Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-01-23Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-01-23Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-01-22Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  8. 2025-01-22On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  9. 2025-01-22Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 263 - 156 (Roll no. 23). (text: CR H277-278) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  10. 2025-01-22Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H285-286)House floor actions
  11. 2025-01-22POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of the debate on S. 5, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  12. 2025-01-22The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  13. 2025-01-22DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 5.House floor actions
  14. 2025-01-22Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.House floor actions
  15. 2025-01-22Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 53. (consideration: CR H277-284)House floor actions
  16. 2025-01-22Rule H. Res. 53 passed House.House floor actions
  17. 2025-01-21Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 53 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 471 and S. 5. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 471 under a structured rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of S. 5 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to commit.House floor actions
  18. 2025-01-21Held at the desk.House floor actions
  19. 2025-01-21Received in the House.House floor actions
  20. 2025-01-21Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  21. 2025-01-20Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7. (text: CR S250-251) Roll call recordSenate
  22. 2025-01-20Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 64 - 35. Record Vote Number: 7. Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  23. 2025-01-20Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S246-251)Senate
  24. 2025-01-17Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 61 - 35. Record Vote Number: 5. (CR S240) Roll call recordSenate
  25. 2025-01-17Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S237-241)Senate
  26. 2025-01-16Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S198-218)Senate
  27. 2025-01-15Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S182)Senate
  28. 2025-01-15Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S161-182)Senate
  29. 2025-01-14Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S130)Senate
  30. 2025-01-13Measure laid before Senate by motion.Senate
  31. 2025-01-13Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 10. Record Vote Number: 2. (CR S87) Roll call recordSenate
  32. 2025-01-13Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S83)Senate
  33. 2025-01-09Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 9. Record Vote Number: 1. (CR S73) Roll call recordSenate
  34. 2025-01-09Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S70)Senate
  35. 2025-01-08Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S46)Senate
  36. 2025-01-08Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S46)Senate
  37. 2025-01-07Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1.Senate
  38. 2025-01-06Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
  39. 2025-01-06Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

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Cosponsors

  • Rep. Jim Banks R-IN-3
  • Sen. John Barrasso R-WY
  • Sen. Marsha Blackburn R-TN
  • Sen. John Boozman R-AR
  • Rep. Ted Budd R-NC-13
  • Sen. Shelley Moore Capito R-WV
  • Sen. Bill Cassidy R-LA
  • Sen. Susan M. Collins R-ME
  • Sen. John Cornyn R-TX
  • Sen. Tom Cotton R-AR
  • Sen. Kevin Cramer R-ND
  • Sen. Mike Crapo R-ID
  • Sen. Ted Cruz R-TX
  • Sen. John R. Curtis R-UT
  • Sen. Steve Daines R-MT
  • Sen. Joni Ernst R-IA
  • Sen. John Fetterman D-PA
  • Sen. Deb Fischer R-NE
  • Sen. Ruben Gallego D-AZ
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC
  • Sen. Chuck Grassley R-IA
  • Sen. Bill Hagerty R-TN
  • Sen. Josh Hawley R-MO
  • Sen. John Hoeven R-ND
  • Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith R-MS
  • Sen. Ron Johnson R-WI
  • Sen. John Kennedy R-LA
  • Sen. James Lankford R-OK
  • Sen. Mike Lee R-UT
  • Sen. Cynthia M. Lummis R-WY
  • Sen. Roger Marshall R-KS
  • Sen. Mitch McConnell R-KY
  • Sen. David McCormick R-PA
  • Sen. Jerry Moran R-KS
  • Sen. Bernie Moreno R-OH
  • Rep. Markwayne Mullin R-OK-2
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-AK
  • Sen. Rand Paul R-KY
  • Sen. Pete Ricketts R-NE
  • Sen. James E. Risch R-ID
  • Sen. Mike Rounds R-SD
  • Sen. Marco Rubio R-FL
  • Sen. Eric Schmitt R-MO
  • Sen. Tim Scott R-SC
  • Sen. Rick Scott R-FL
  • Sen. Tim Sheehy R-MT
  • Sen. Dan Sullivan R-AK
  • Sen. John Thune R-SD
  • Sen. Thomas Tillis R-NC
  • Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-AL
  • Sen. J. D. Vance R-OH
  • Sen. Roger F. Wicker R-MS
  • Sen. Todd Young R-IN