More than 60 House Democrats supported a GOP bill that would make sexual and domestic violence deportable offenses, marking the second bipartisan immigration bill to pass the chamber this Congress. The bill, led by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), garnered 10 more Democratic votes than the 51 who supported it in the previous Congress. Many of the Democrats backing the bill represent swing districts, but some from solidly blue seats also voted in favor, including Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
“Congressional Democrats are under intense pressure from the GOP majority to vote for immigration and crime-related bills. The House passed the Laken Riley Act — which mandates detaining undocumented immigrants who are charged with burglary or theft — as its first bill of the new Congress last week. The Senate is currently debating amendments to add to that legislation,” Politico reported.
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), who represents a battleground district, said she voted for the legislation “because it further reiterates that sexual and domestic abuse are serious crimes under the law, delivering justice for victims and making our communities safer for everyone.” However, other Democrats in swing districts raised significant concerns about the bill. First-term Rep. Dave Min (D-Calif.) warned that it could have an unintended chilling effect on victims of sexual abuse, who might fear deportation if they report the crime.
“This bill empowers rapists and criminals, putting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault — including those who are in this country legally — at risk,” Min said in a statement. “Rather than protecting the vulnerable, this bill will enact horrific consequences on survivors.”
A majority of Senate Democrats joined Republicans last week in a robust bipartisan effort to move the Laken Riley Act forward. The cloture vote, requiring 60 senators to succeed, saw overwhelming support with 84 votes in favor, nine against, and six abstentions. The legislation is designed to crack down on illegal immigrants engaged in criminal activities while in the United States. It is the first bill of its kind before President-elect Donald Trump, who made border security and deportations cornerstones of his campaign, takes office in less than 10 days.
The bill is named in honor of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant while jogging in Athens last February. Reports from that time indicated she defended herself for several minutes before her attacker allegedly struck her in the head with a rock, resulting in her death. Support for the legislation has already been strong among Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, both co-sponsors of the bill alongside more than 50 Republicans. GOP Senator Katie Britt of Alabama introduced the legislation in the Senate.