House passes Laken Riley Act in first legislative act of new Congress

The Laken Riley Act passed the House on Tuesday afternoon, marking the first piece of legislation out of the GOP-controlled Congress, as Republicans seek to fulfill a campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration.

All Republicans and 48 Democrats passed the bill in a 264-159 vote that will allow federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants who have committed theft-related crimes, as well as give states the ability to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration.