Laken Riley Act

Sponsor

Summary

Laken Riley ActThis 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 adecision 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; orfailure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Source: Congressional Research Service via Congress.gov · as of Jul 11, 2026

How it has moved

1. February 10, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 10.
2. February 6, 2025Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
3. January 8, 2025Received in the Senate.
4. January 7, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5. January 7, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 159 (Roll no. 6). (text: CR H53-54)
6. January 7, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 159 (Roll no. 6). (text: CR H53-54)
7. January 7, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H61)
8. January 7, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 29, 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.
9. January 7, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10. January 7, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 29.
11. January 7, 2025