Democrats see the light. The Laken Riley deportation bill passed the Senate easily.
Good News From Senate Democrats
By a filibuster-proof margin, Senate Democrats Help Republicans Advance Immigration Crackdown.
Ten Democrats sided with Republicans to advance the legislation, called the Laken Riley Act, a sign of the Democrats’ shifting stance on immigration. Polls showed voters consistently favored Republicans’ hard line on the border and immigration, following a surge of illegal crossings that has since subsided. A bipartisan bill backed by President Biden stalled last year.
The chamber voted 61-35 to end debate on the bill, above the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation to advance. The vote puts the bill on track to clear the Senate next week on a simple majority, which would then send it back to the House to be approved and forwarded on to President-elect Donald Trump’s desk.
“We have irresponsible, open-border, soft-on-crime policies, and that must end,” said Sen. Katie Britt (R., Ala.), who led the legislation that was joined by two Democratic co-sponsors, Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman. “This bill will prevent countless nightmares,” she said.
Some Democrats attempted to force votes on amendments to exclude Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipients, as well as minors who arrived in the country illegally but aren’t DACA-eligible. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) declined to bring any to a vote.
The Laken Riley bill would widen the group of people eligible for deportation by including nonconvicted individuals, raising due-process concerns and rapidly expanding the pool of individuals who would be eligible for deportation.
A second provision of the bill would grant state attorneys general legal standing to sue federal immigration officials and to request intervention for individual cases. Some Democrats and legal experts said they expect the standing provision, a doctrine grounded in the Constitution, to be challenged as unconstitutional.
The Laken Riley Act could cost billions and take years to fully implement. A memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement circulated among senators before Friday’s vote estimated the annual cost of encoding the bill to be nearly $27 billion—about a quarter of the Homeland Security Department’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
The estimate accounts for the hiring of more than 10,000 enforcement officers, who conduct arrests and manage detention facilities, at a cost of $2.6 billion. The deportation push could also require the addition of multiple aircraft and ground transportation vehicles, along with more than 100,000 additional detention-facility beds.
An amendment introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) and added to the bill broadens the list of offenses that would require detention, including any arrest for assault of a law enforcement officer.
The legislation’s namesake, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student in Athens, Ga., was murdered by a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. illegally. Jose Antonio Ibarra was found guilty of murder, kidnapping and other charges in the February 2024 killing. In November, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and was set to serve additional shorter sentences consecutively.
“A Blinding Flash of Common Sense”
On January 11, I reported “A Blinding Flash of Common Sense” from Democrats on Illegal Immigration
That’s six known with only one more [Democrat] needed to break any filibuster.
And even if it stopped at 6, I doubt senators would put their career on the line with a filibuster of this bill against clear national sentiment.
I expect another 6-12 Democrats will sign on, if not more.
Four more signed on. It would have been more were it not for a provision that may be unconstitutional.
Blinding Display of Expected Idiocy
In a blinding display of expected idiocy, the extreme Left-wing lunatics at The Slate call the bill a Horrifying Trojan Horse.
If the Slate is against something, I am highly likely for it, and vice versa.
Heading Toward a Sensible Policy
On December 24, I commented Trump Backs Down From Strong Sweeping Deportation Promise
Both Trump and his border czar are sending strong messages that Trump’s deportation plan won’t live up to his campaign hype.
Deal for Dreamers
I suspect Trump privately got some heat from some governors who understand the economic insanity of “deport them all”.
Regardless why, I get to say “I told you so” once again to those who cling to every word Trump says.
To get a bill through congress for more border patrols, ICE agents, and to finish the wall, Trump is going to have to cut a deal.
And that deal will be amnesty for dreamers.
If you want to know what kind of dreamer deal to expect, please see my November 7, 2024 post The New Home for Hispanics is the Republican Party
The great news today is there is a clear majority for sensible actions.
Deport them all won’t happen, but deport the criminals and seal the border will. That’s what I wanted all along.
We are rapidly heading in that direction due to “A Blinding Flash of Common Sense” in uncommon places.
Trump may get to sign this act on day one!
Any costs associated to any forward thinking illegal alien deportion plans, need to be attributed to the illegal immigration illegal policies of Joe Biden and the Chamber of Commerce;which is a front for the Oligarchy.
How many times must the word illegal be used? When were the United States Citizens allowed to vote on 15 million new illegal aliens?
Disenfranchisement at its best.
There’s been a surge in self deportations among illegal immigrants recently ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Mexico has kindly volunteered to take as many illegals as the Trump administration will send them. No thanks to Trump’s threat of tariffs of course, because tariff wars are unwinnable, lol.
It appears these illegals would rather have a say in where they go from here, because the incoming border czar will not be giving them a choice.
“trojan horse”
The first domino to fall in your theory. Back peddling now is undignified.
I wanted all the illegals gone.
They are not the brightest group of people in the world. They have no ethics, low character and are generally non productive. The cost of having them here is greater than any productive activity they bring to the country.
When the next recession comes the rubber will meet the road
(shortages will come)
“They are not the brightest group of people in the world. They have no ethics, low character and are generally non productive. The cost of having them here is greater than any productive activity they bring to the country.”
If you’re referring to the Congress critters. I agree 100%. (Lots of immigrants too.)
Let’s see send the labor force that actually wants to work back to their homeland then after lots of tariffs preventing food or whatever they make, Brilliant just brilliant. And the maga group just eating it what could go wrong.
So here we confront another of Trump’s lies and instead of calling it out, Mish chastises those that “cling to every word Trump says”, hence giving Trump a pass for lying and blaming those that believe him.
And, no mention of the fact that Democrats had already crossed the aisle to vote on a bipartisan immigration bill which Trump then made House Reps vote against. Mark my words, immigration will end up right where the Biden Bill placed it.
Dear Jen
If you were a long time reader you would know that I blasted Trump on about 5 occasions for having a deal for dreamers in hand with Schumer then wrecking it.
I support a deal for dreamers as I have written about at perhaps 10 time. I have criticized Trump many times and have hundreds (literally) TDS accusations to prove it.
This is the deal I support.
https://mishtalk.com/economics/the-new-home-for-hispanics-is-the-republican-party/
Your apology accepted.
By the way, I think Trump’s economic and tax policy sucks. And I have written numerous posts disagreeing especially with his nonsensical ideas on tariffs.
Dear Jen, you are suffering from TDS. Get some help.
Democrats already crossed the aisle, for a Republican developed immigration bill that was killed by Donald Trump.
Leaving aside that this bill is a solution to the wrong problem (the problem isn’t the right to deport immigrants who commit crimes, it’s having the resources in place to do it timely and constitutionally), this bill is a thinly disguised trojan horse aimed at giving individual states control over federal immigration policy. Good luck making this work!
I strongly disagree
And it will lead to a responsible deal with Democrats on Dreamers
I respect you Mish, and we shall see. What would you consider a responsible deal?
Projection. The bill that died was the Trojan horse. This one doesn’t include a backdoor amnesty plan. And Trump isn’t in office yet so he did not kill anything. Yet.
Thi was Biden’s border bill:
“Under the new immigration bill, the Department of Homeland Security could close the border if too many migrants were showing up with asylum claims. After negotiators conferred with the Border Patrol and officials at the Department of Homeland Security, they crafted the legislation to give DHS the authority to close the border if they reached a seven-day average of 4,000 or more border encounters. A seven-day average of 5,000 or more would mandate a border closure. If the number exceeded 8,500 in a single day, there would also be a mandatory border closure.”
The idea that it closed the border is laughable
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/does-new-immigration-bill-5000-illegal-border-crossings-per-day-rcna136656
You’re delusional. Obviously suffering from TDS
What I like a lot about this post, Mish, is you found and posted a source that lists the actual price for this vote. $27B annually, and of course it’s likely to be actually higher being a government program.
So good for those Senators who voted for what they and their constituents wanted. And if Trump does sign it on day one, the deficit will start rising, but at least we’ll get what we wanted.
But unfortunately, this gives no funding to the wall itself, or actually getting rid of regular immigrants. But it gives us a sampling of what this is going to cost. And if this is what we want, and what we voted for, the Senators should vote for it to get that result.
But there is no free lunch. So we can’t get rid of all immigrants and reduce the deficit, as many here have wanted/demanded. It’s not possible. You’re going to have to start prioritizing.
Yes, some Democrat Senators crossed the aisle to shake hands, and hoped for some favor over the coming years, while doing so. I applaud them for that! It shows some character on display, and for a good reason (IMO). .
Obviously these are not times we’re one can expect unanimous approval, but on this specific topic/Bill, I guess I did expect a much higher overall %? It was however, nice to see Mr. Fetterman do what He said he would! I’m liking Him for a small beacon for some others to grab a hold onto, perhaps…
What’s this crap about hiring 10,000 “enforcement officers”? Forget that waste of money, time, and energy. We already have 10,000 (Way More!) officers for enforcement, so NO need to hire anyone. We are Already Paying them too, so NO added cost either. This isn’t hands People…
We also don’t require ant more detention beds, as we can use what we have, as they won’t be staying long. They will be passed through to the other side for holding, as this was their point of entry. Legally that’s where they are returned. What that Country does with/for them, is strictly up to them, but sending them back here is “Not An Option”
It looks like Trump is backing down a bit, from His initial calls for actions on some topics. Highly Expected by people paying attention, and know Trumps style. This was extremely easy to see coming. More will have this occur as well as we move along through the first few months, and then it will settle down.
I see some are calling for Trump to make a deal, and some are using “Dreamers” as a hype word. There is No Deal on Dreamers, as this was already a Done Deal a long, long time ago. Trump has always left this door wide open for sensible discussion. With “Power & Control” they would not negotiate on this with Trump/Republicans, but Now they are finally heading to the table to speak…Hooray!! Now that’s progress! Trump will most certainly comply, as He has been waiting for just This Moment!!
Love it! All is “Very Good”
“It shows some character on display”
C’mon. It shows they are attuned to which way the political winds are blowing and are voting accordingly. These guys for the most part have no character and no morals. If they did they wouldn’t have gotten into office, or if they had, they’d be run out of town using some fake news on par with Russia Russia Russia, or pee tapes, or grab ’em by the *****, or what have you.
Not “ALL” of them are lost, and in fact many know and completely understand what’s going on. Unfortunately for them, they have their entire careers, friends, social life and way of life. To “Risk” that is showing character, and they will also be far more likely to leave the party too. Finding a way, is the hardest part.
I would recommend using the 80/20 Rule, in regards to the nasty lies and dirty tricks people, as they make up a very small portion of the mix. For every AOC/Schiff there could be 10 or more unlike Them!
You have to learn How to work with them all…
I would agree that ones like Ron Paul and Rand Paul are not lost. But that is not enough. Unless we have a critical mass of politicians that are “not lost,” the country continues to drift in the wrong direction, with citizens continuing to have their rights undermined and their wealth stolen through unconstitutional taxes and inflation.
Exactly why Trump was elected! He isn’t even in office yet, and people expect Him to change everything overnight. He has already made significant changes to assist Americans, and as time passes more and more will be done.
Once He is in charge, expect some immediate changes, as they have been working diligently to do so quickly.
Unfortunately The Harris / Biden Administration has laid down “Roadblocks” for Him, and that will not stop Him, but will slow His efforts down quite a bit. Of course it is exactly why they are doing so! Then they can shout “See He can’t do anything either” when it’s just them tossing crap in the way, and slowing Him down in the Courts, so they can pound there weak little chest…
Truth is Truth, and Sunlight has brought a whole lot of attention, to the lies and manipulation the Harris / Biden Administration has brought onto the American Citizens! Shame on Them ALL!!!
Have at it….you’ll “reap what you sow” is the sayin’ (pun intended)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/ar-AA1xngfJ
What could possibly go wrong losing half your labor force?
I’ve been stockpiling food for a few years now and am well stocked and positioned for profiting off this and only 3 days for the promised land journey to start.
All you welfare queens on social security better not start whining about your COLAs.
Thats why we’ll all have to try real hard to understand who is making all these dictatorial pronouncements. He’s lazy and a little dumb and doesnt intend to do anything in the end that will make him unloved and look old and stupid. Of course they said the same thing about Adolph. We can control Don. Im more concerned about controlling his henchmen — the true believers and bible thumpers.
Italy is about two decades ahead of the U.S. but the timeline can accelerate with harsh immigration laws. If this administration follows through, expect the “Detroitization” of all of America within two decades.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/13/zero-babies-born-in-358-italian-towns-amid-birth-crisis/
If you want to see the future America, take a trip to Italy and pay attention to the 80 year old cab drivers trying to get by and all the empty rural towns and areas. The only question is if it happens 10 years from now or 20 years.
And Spain. And Japan.
Pureblood here, ready for duty.
Detroit has been Detroit for over 50 years now. Its condition was caused by misguided leftist policies, not lack of immigrants. Nice self-own, though.
You just can’t help yourself with the Hitler references. Intellectual laziness.
Sounds like we need some new EV Farm Equipment perhaps, and toss on some Automation, and newer Equipment with the Newer Available Technologies and we’re going forward rather quickly.
Didn’t we just get a massive “Farm Bill” done? There’s your money right there! I don’t see a problem, and if there is one, then “Work It Out”
Oh My, however did we eat before Biden threw open the border!?
There is and has been a visa program for farm workers for many decades. Your argument is a red herring.
Construction Guy here: when my acquaintances blurt some BS like “who’s going to build the houses, who’s going to clean the motel rooms, who’s going to wash the dishes at my favorite restaurant???” I tell them this: WHO IN THE HELL DO YOU THINK DID IT BEFORE THE ILLEGAL/CHEAP FOREIGN (TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED) HOARDS INVADED, Dumb Ass???
Cheap labor is only cheap for the employer that directly benefits from said cheap labor; the rest of us who do not employ them subsidize every cost that the employer saves by paying them less than Fair Wage.
Because, most illegals (and their children) access every form of State/Fed largesse that is available.
And, (according to at least 2 independent insurance brokers that I have talked to) most do not buy auto insurance.
Or, health insurance.
Or, do they pay any meaningful taxes, except sales tax.
Same goes for H1B immigrants and the plethora of other visas that are abused by American businesses.
The taxpayer is subsidizing the cheap, foreign labor and the Businesses that employ them benefit from our toil.
Wake up America.
You’re right about the “guest worker” program for agricultural workers. The problem is, they have to be paid at least the federal minimum wage which is currently $7.25 an hour, plus workman’s comp, plus unemployment insurance, plus FICA taxes. They want people who are willing to accept $5 an hour under the table to pick lettuce.
No, by this logic, the 10 million new illegals would’ve made labor so cheap costs would go down everywhere.
The US was fine without every last illegal that came in with via a grossly twisted definition of amnesty by Biden in the last 4 years.
By undocumented you mean illegal. Replace the illegals with vetted workers from Mexico and other countries on say 6 month contracts. They come, they work hard, they return to their countries with a decent amount of cash. Many of the illegals currently here should be able to qualify for vetting.
“Have at it….you’ll “reap what you sow”
Democrats did reap what they sowed. Even a substantial percentage of Hispanic U.S. citizens voted for Trump, as a result of the illegal immigration that Democrats promoted.
Common sense legislation … What’s the catch?
$27B (at least) to expand the castle and/or build new ones.
“Hey man, didn’t you just give the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a private equity billionaire?” It’s looting season in America
https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/looting-season-in-america
Woot Woot! Let’s Loot!
Biden speaks with forked tongue. Gives a Presidential Medal of Freedom to oligarch George Soros and then a few days later criticizes oligarchs.
“The great news today is there is a clear majority for sensible actions.” EXACTLY! Ike knew: “People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Who exactly is favoring keeping alien criminals in this country? WHY would anyone keep alien criminals in this country? And why would their home countries even let our plane land in their home country with a alien criminal? If I were the home country I’d say “He’s yours, USA. Sucks to be you!”
We are in the design phases of an open ended hyper loop that we can use as a sort of pneumatic catapult to deliver these villains back to their home countries without the expense and bother of airports. We repurposed that cave rescue submarine and those ventilators nobody used during covid. It’ll be quick, energy efficient, and produce no greenhouse gases.
Just a quick “phoot phoot phoot” and Hector, Jorges, and Juan are on their way home!
Tell the foreign country that refused to take back its citizens that the US will shut down all trade with that country including of any goods from other countries that contain material from the blocked country.
Also block any visitors from that country including diplomats. No access to the US banking system etc
Everyone who crosses the border illegally is a criminal. Deport them all with their anchor babies.
That is economic idiocy. 5 thumbs down.
You are ignorant of a huge labor shortage and massive inflation of deporting 15 million people.
Dont even waste your breath Mike. Arguing this is pointless. Good luck trying to remove millions of people that dont want to be removed.
Until they remove themselves
Assemble and program 15,000,000 Lost In Space Robots. No grapes without the g. It only liked to mess with Dr. Zachary Smith.
I just don’t understand this silly cat and mouse stuff. Offer work visas and an ability to be a resident and then citizen if you are well behaved. Anyone working without the work visa is deported and employer is ding’ed 20,000 per person
Grift… er profits! Illegals are always under threat of an anonymous phone call to la Migra. Similarly to H1B’s, people that employ illegals have power to pay less, and treat worse. It also gives the employer to obliterate the lifestyle of an employee that gets sassy.
This isn’t new. Somehow, nothing ever got done about it, and now nothing ever will.
Chaching! High Five, Emperor Soros!
USA has 20 million on welfare or unemployed who need those jobs.
They could have those jobs tomorrow. They dont want them.
Cut their welfare off
Use the money saved on the cut welfare to pay for the illegals deportation. Win win.
Then stop 100% of all welfare. They can work or starve.
Economic idiocy is keeping an illegal in the country at a cost that is much greater than deporting him/her.
It’s not that easy, and it’s not the overall solution anyway. While I agree in some things, we must wait until the Border Wall is complete and we have near 100% closure of the border.
In the meantime, we should be working on “Legal POE” locations and expanding them with the help of Mexico (their interest as well). We should have a working system Day 1 when the border is deemed “Officially Secure” and workers can start arriving daily were really needed at first, and then more so as it’s past trials and tribulations.
We must approach this issue with due diligence, as Trump will do, and demand quite frankly! He doesn’t like revisiting things and especially because of incompetence. He strives for “Perfection” it won’t happen overnight, and nor should it, but I will occur over time, and right the first time! Can’t ask for more than that, can you?
Deport the people who allowed it to happen and also facilitated it