1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I urge you to reconsider advancing the Laken Riley Act. While aiming to address important public safety concerns, this legislation takes an overly broad and punitive approach that would significantly expand mandatory detention for non-citizens, including those merely charged with relatively minor crimes like shoplifting. This would place enormous strain on an already overwhelmed immigration detention system operating near maximum capacity. Furthermore, empowering state officials to directly challenge federal immigration policies in court could lead to conflicting legal rulings and undermine the government's ability to implement immigration enforcement priorities effectively. Rather than this unilateral crackdown, we should pursue more balanced reforms that uphold due process while addressing legitimate security concerns through reasonable measures backed by evidence and funding. Public safety and humane treatment of immigrants need not be mutually exclusive goals.