Oppose the Laken Riley Act

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Laken Riley Act, which recently passed the Senate with bipartisan support and is now awaiting further consideration. While I understand the intent to enhance public safety, I have several concerns regarding this legislation: 1. Due Process Concerns: The Act mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of theft-related offenses, regardless of conviction status, and denies them bond hearings. This approach raises significant due process issues, as it permits indefinite detention without a fair trial. 2. Financial Implications: Implementing the Act is projected to cost approximately $83 billion over three years. This substantial expenditure could divert funds from other critical areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. 3. State Overreach: The provision allowing states to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement encroaches upon federal authority and could lead to a fragmented and inconsistent immigration policy across the nation. 4. Resource Strain: Mandatory detention for individuals accused of minor offenses like shoplifting could overwhelm our detention facilities and strain the judicial system, leading to longer processing times and potential human rights concerns. In light of these issues, I urge you to reconsider support for the Laken Riley Act. Instead, I advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that balances security with fairness, upholds constitutional rights, and utilizes resources more effectively. Thank you for considering my perspective on this critical matter.