Biden's ICE Warns: Pass Laken Riley Act, and we will Release 60K Detainees!
ICE is now playing politics and defense for Biden and the Democrats!
ICE Federal immigration officials warn that the Laken Riley Act could require detaining 60,000 people, which would demand billions of dollars and thousands of additional detention beds. ICE currently lacks the necessary funding and would need over $3.2 billion to enforce the bill, risking the release of detainees, including potential public safety threats, without emergency funding.
Impact of the Laken Riley Act
The Laken Riley Act could require detaining 60,000 people, demanding billions of dollars and additional detention beds.
ICE identified over 60,000 undocumented immigrants who would need to be detained under the bill.
Bipartisan Support and Legislative Context
The bill has gained bipartisan support in Congress this year.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced the legislation in the Senate.
ICE's Warning to Congress
ICE provided details to congressional offices in December on the resources necessary to enforce the bill.
ICE warned that without emergency funding, it could be forced to release tens of thousands of immigrants, including those who may pose public safety threats.
Current Detention Capacity and Funding Needs
ICE currently only has funding for 42,000 detention beds but is already holding 39,000 detainees.
62% of detainees in ICE custody are required to be detained by law.
The Laken Riley Act does not include any funding to enforce the new detention requirements.
ICE would need over $3.2 billion in extra funding for the 2025 fiscal year to enforce the bill.
The additional funding would cover 64,000 more beds, bringing the total number of beds to over 100,000.
ICE would also need funds to hire more law enforcement officers.
Support from Congressional Leadership
Sean Ross, deputy chief of staff for Sen. Katie Britt, stated they are prepared to give ICE the resources needed to properly enforce federal law and protect American families.
The funding and enforcement support would come through both the appropriations and reconciliation processes.
GO DEEPER
The Laken Riley Act could require detaining 60,000 people, needing billions of dollars and additional detention beds.
The bill has gained bipartisan support in Congress this year.
ICE provided details to Congress in December on the resources required to enforce the bill.
Without emergency funding, ICE may have to release tens of thousands of immigrants, including potential public safety threats.
ICE identified over 60,000 undocumented immigrants who would need detention under the bill.
ICE has funding for only 42,000 detention beds but currently holds 39,000 detainees.
The Laken Riley Act does not allocate funds for enforcing new detention requirements.
ICE would need an extra $3.2 billion for fiscal year 2025 to meet the bill’s detention needs.
This funding would go toward 64,000 additional beds and more law enforcement officers.
Sen. Katie Britt's office has pledged to provide ICE with necessary resources to enforce federal law.