Arizona’s Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego support a bill which would require undocumented immigrants who are charged with certain crimes to be taken into custody.
In the Senate, Republicans need eight Democratic votes to bypass the filibuster and advance the bill.
As reported by Politico, with Gallego and Kelly’s support, the Senate now has nine Democrats in open support of it.
Gallego is actually a co-sponsor of the “Laken Riley Act,” named after a 22-year-old woman who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant last year in Georgia. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, was convicted in November.
“Not only am I voting yes on the Laken Riley Act, I’m co-sponsoring the bill. Arizonans know better than most the real consequences of today’s border crisis. We must give law enforcement the means to take action to prevent tragedies like what occurred to Laken Riley,” Gallego said on X.
The bill has already passed the House with the support of all Republicans and 48 Democrats, including Democratic Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton.
The other two House Democrats are Yassamin Ansari and Raúl Grijalva. Ansari voted “no,” and Grijalva did not vote.
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs also took to social media today to voice her support for the measure.
“Thank you Senator Gallego for representing Arizona well and cosponsoring this legislation. The Laken Riley Act is an important step forward that will help keep our communities safe and secure our border,” Hobbs said on X.
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After vetoes on Monday and Tuesday, the total number of bills Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has rejected so far this year is 138. That is just five shy of the record the governor set in her first year in office in 2023. -
Habeas corpus allows an individual to challenge their detention in jails or immigration detention centers — and bring their case before a judge. -
DHS closed three accountability offices earlier this year — including those that monitor conditions in detention centers and investigate alleged human rights abuses. -
Avelo Airlines announced in April it had signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to make charter deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport. It said it will use three Boeing 737-800 planes for the flights. -
Democratic U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona is wading into one of Washington's most contentious political problems as he puts forward a plan at reforming immigration and beefing up border security.
