H.R. 29 (119th)Bill Overview

Laken Riley Act

Immigration|Border security and unlawful immigrationCivil actions and liability
Cosponsors
Support
Republican
Introduced
Jan 3, 2025
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageCommittee

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 10.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief
Plain-English summaryWhat this bill actually does

The Laken Riley Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain certain noncitizens charged with burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting who are inadmissible under specified INA subsections, and to issue detainers when appropriate. It also creates statutory standing for State attorneys general (or authorized state officers) to sue federal officials (Secretary of Homeland Security, Attorney General, Secretary of State) for alleged violations of detention, parole, bond, visa-stop, and admission procedures, with expedited docketing and a low financial-harm threshold for standing.

Why people may split

Progressives emphasize civil liberties and detention cost concerns.

Watch point

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a substantive policy change that is legally specific in its amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act and in granting enforcement standing to State attorneys general.

The Laken Riley Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain certain noncitizens charged with burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting who are inadmissible under specified INA subsections, and to issue detainers when appropriate.

It also creates statutory standing for State attorneys general (or authorized state officers) to sue federal officials (Secretary of Homeland Security, Attorney General, Secretary of State) for alleged violations of detention, parole, bond, visa-stop, and admission procedures, with expedited docketing and a low financial-harm threshold for standing.

The bill adjusts several INA provisions to shift certain authorities or terminology and adds limits on some forms of injunctive relief.

Passage30/100

Contentious immigration enforcement changes plus novel state‑sue‑federal provisions reduce odds; passage requires favorable floor dynamics and executive willingness.

CredibilityPartially aligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a substantive policy change that is legally specific in its amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act and in granting enforcement standing to State attorneys general. It integrates tightly with existing statutory structure but provides limited operational detail, fiscal acknowledgment, and safeguards.

Contention75/100

Progressives emphasize civil liberties and detention cost concerns.

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Likely benefits vs burdens50% / 50%
Federal agenciesFederal agencies

These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.

Likely helped
  • Federal agenciesClarifies which agency (DHS) makes parole and custody decisions, consolidating authority.
  • Federal agenciesIncreases federal responsibility to take custody of certain noncitizens accused of theft offenses.
  • Federal agenciesProvides States a legal tool to compel federal enforcement through expedited civil suits.
Likely burdened
  • Federal agenciesIncreases federal detention population and associated DHS detention and removal costs.
  • Potential burdenExpands mandatory detention for relatively low-level theft offenses, raising incarceration concerns.
  • Federal agenciesCreates likely increases in federal and state litigation due to low $100 harm threshold.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Progressives emphasize civil liberties and detention cost concerns.
Progressive15%

Likely opposed overall.

The bill expands mandatory detention for noncitizens charged with mostly property offenses and gives states broad power to sue federal officials, raising civil liberties and federalism concerns.

Critics would note due process, increased detention costs, and potential chilling effects on immigrant communities.

Likely resistant
Centrist50%

Mixed reaction.

The bill addresses state frustrations about federal nondetention but raises practical and legal questions about costs, separation of powers, and operational feasibility.

A centrist would weigh public safety benefits against unfunded mandates, litigation spikes, and potential constitutional challenges.

Split reaction
Conservative90%

Likely strongly supportive.

The bill tightens immigration enforcement against inadmissible noncitizens charged with theft and empowers states to force federal compliance.

Supporters will view it as restoring rule-of-law priorities and protecting communities from property crime.

Leans supportive
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Still ahead

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood30/100

Contentious immigration enforcement changes plus novel state‑sue‑federal provisions reduce odds; passage requires favorable floor dynamics and executive willingness.

Scope and complexity
52%
Scopemoderate
52%
Complexitymedium
Why this could stall
  • Absent CBO/score, fiscal magnitude of added detention unclear
  • How courts will treat expanded state standing under Article III
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

HOUSE · Jan 7, 2025
Final passage✓ PassedParty-line

The House passed this bill. It now goes to the other chamber, and eventually to the President for signature.

What is a final passage?

The final vote on whether the bill becomes law (pending the other chamber and the President).

Yes 63% No 37%
Showing a quick cross-section of legislators, with followed members first when available.
06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Progressives emphasize civil liberties and detention cost concerns.

Contentious immigration enforcement changes plus novel state‑sue‑federal provisions reduce odds; passage requires favorable floor dynamics…

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a substantive policy change that is legally specific in its amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act and in granting enforcement standing to State attorne…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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