I am a constituent asking you to vote NO on the Laken Riley Act.
The Laken Riley Act is a "Trojan horse" because it is presented as a narrowly focused measure to address crimes committed by undocumented immigrants but contains provisions that significantly expand its scope and impact. These provisions include:
1. Sweeping Detention Powers: The act mandates the detention of immigrants, including those legally residing in the U.S., even if they are merely arrested or charged with a crime but not convicted. This raises constitutional concerns about due process.
2. Targeting Legal Immigrants: It applies not only to undocumented immigrants but also to Dreamers, refugees, and other legal residents, potentially subjecting them to indefinite detention.
3. Shifting Immigration Authority: The act transfers significant immigration enforcement powers from the executive branch to state attorneys general and federal judges, undermining established constitutional norms.
4. Country-Wide Visa Bans: It allows federal courts to impose visa bans on entire countries that refuse U.S. deportations, potentially disrupting international relations and legal immigration.
These hidden features suggest that the bill's true intent goes beyond addressing crime and aims to curtail legal immigration and empower states to override federal immigration policies, making it far more radical than it appears on the surface. Do not hand these expanded powers to the incoming Trump Administration and its allies state-level cronies.
VOTE NO on the Laken Riley Act!
