H.R. 29 · Passed House · Immigration

Laken Riley Act

What it does

Requires DHS to detain individuals who are in the country unlawfully or lacked required documents at admission and who are charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admit to burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
Authorizes states to sue the federal government for injunctive relief over immigration enforcement decisions or failures that harm the state or its residents, including financial harm over $100.
Covers suits over releasing a foreign national from custody, failures in inspecting or interviewing those seeking admission, and failing to halt visas for countries that refuse their nationals.
Covers suits over violations of the limits on immigration parole.

Official summary

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…

Latest action

Feb 10, 2025: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 10.

Committee: House Judiciary