119th Congress · introduced in the House · Jan 3, 2025
Laken Riley Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Feb 10, 2025): Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 10.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Immigration
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Introduced in House (Jan 3, 2025)
Laken Riley Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.
Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a
• decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody;
• failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews;
• failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country;
• violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or
• failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
Show less of the summaryIncludes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · Jan 7, 2025 · Roll call 6 · Passed
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 10.
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Received in the Senate.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 159 (Roll no. 6). (text: CR H53-54) Roll call details
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 159 (Roll no. 6). (text: CR H53-54) Roll call details
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H61)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 29, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Raskin demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 29.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 5. (consideration: CR H53-61)
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Border security and unlawful immigration · Civil actions and liability · Crimes against property · Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation · Detention of persons · Immigration status and procedures · Intergovernmental relations · Refugees, asylum, displaced persons · State and local government operations · Visas and passports
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsCoverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 23, 2026.
18 citations.
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM · lobbying firm or registrant: FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · amended · posted Sep 25, 2026 · issue area: Immigration
$54,444
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 2 / S. 2824, Secure the Border Act H.R. 318, Border Safety and Security Act H.R. 29 / S. 5, Laken Riley Act S. 84, Sarah's Law H.R. 1792, No Tax Dollars for the United Nations Immigration Invasion Act H.R. 1168, Protecting Federal Funds from H…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC.
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Dec 22, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
Amount not reported
…gressional budget, S. Con. Res. 7 --An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, HR 35 the Agent Raul Gonzales Officer Safety Act, HR 29 & S.5 the Laken Riley Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC.
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
Amount not reported
…gressional budget, S. Con. Res. 7 --An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, HR 35 the Agent Raul Gonzales Officer Safety Act, HR 29 & S.5 the Laken Riley Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS · lobbying firm or registrant: LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ON CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · amended · posted Apr 29, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$660,000
Spent on own lobbying
Immigration Enforcement Policy Opposition to H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act Opposition to H.R. 30, the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act Opposition to H.R. 35, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AMERICAS VOICE · lobbying firm or registrant: NAWAR STRATEGY
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 22, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$30,000
Paid to lobbying firm
Outreach and monitoring related to: -Legalization for undocumented workers. -Border/immigration/asylum legislation. -S.5 /H.R.29, Laken Riley Act. -H.R. 32, No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act.
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HERITAGE ACTION FOR AMERICA · lobbying firm or registrant: HERITAGE ACTION FOR AMERICA
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 22, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$100,000
Spent on own lobbying
HR 175 "Deport Alien Gang Members Act," all provisions. HR 273 "REMAIN in Mexico Act," all provisions. HR 29 "Laken Riley Act," all provisions. HR 30 "Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act," all provisions. HR 35 "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety A…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST · lobbying firm or registrant: HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$67,470
Spent on own lobbying
…e on a U.S. citizen if their undocumented spouse or child were denied a visa or received a deportation order, and to grant these families relief, case by case. H.R. 29 Laken Riley Act - This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been ar…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · lobbying firm or registrant: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$200,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ted to H-1B, F, and J visas; and OPT and STEM OPT General issues related to international students including enhanced screening and enforcement, changes to TPS H.R. 29/S. 5, the Laken Riley Act - provisions related to immigration enforcement
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE · lobbying firm or registrant: KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$150,000
Spent on own lobbying
…cking, and other gender-based violence, and for other purposes H.R.1589, American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 H.R.32, No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act S.5/H.R.29, Laken Riley Act S.391/H.R. 944, Access to Counsel Act of 2025 S.1297, A bill to provide counsel for unaccompanied children, and for other purposes Issues rela…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: NUMBERSUSA ACTION, INC.
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
Amount not reported
…gressional budget, S. Con. Res. 7 --An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget, HR 35 the Agent Raul Gonzales Officer Safety Act, HR 29 & S.5 the Laken Riley Act
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION · lobbying firm or registrant: AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$560,000
Spent on own lobbying
…of Passengers Act-Issues Lobbied: Privacy. H.R. 5009-National Defense Authorization Act for FY2025, and Senate amendment-Issues Lobbied: Use of military force. H.R. 29 - Laken Riley Act- Issues Lobbied: Immigration. H.R. 6090-Antisemitism Awareness Act-Issues Lobbied: Free speech. H.R. 28 - Protection of Women and Girls in Sp…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
THE GEO GROUP, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE GEO GROUP, INC.
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 18, 2025 · issue area: Homeland Security
$350,000
Spent on own lobbying
…-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025), H.Con.Res 14. Issues related to ICE, immigration enforcement, and alternatives to detention; S.5 and H.R. 29, Laken Riley Act S. 72 and H.R. 355, the Justice for Jocelyn Act. Issues related to the education and promotion of the benefits in the use of public-private pa…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
THE GEO GROUP, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: THE GEO GROUP, INC.
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 18, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$350,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025), H.Con.Res 14. Issues related to ICE, immigration enforcement, and alternatives to detention; S. 5 and H.R. 29, Laken Riley Act, S. 72 and H.R. 355, the Justice for Jocelyn Act. Issues related to the education and promotion of the benefits in the use of public-private p…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION · lobbying firm or registrant: FRIENDS COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL LEGISLATION
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 17, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$1,000,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 29 Laken Riley Act S. 5 Laken Riley Act H. Con. Res. 14 - Reconciliation budget resolution H.R. 1968 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 16, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$10,000
Spent on own lobbying
…Act (HR 924/S 398) Support the American Dream and Promise Act (HR 1589) Support the Protect Sensitive Locations Act (HR 1061/S 455) Oppose the Laken Riley Act (HR 29/S 5) Oppose the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act (HR 32) Oppose the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act (HR 30) Oppose the Executive Ord…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM · lobbying firm or registrant: FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 14, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$54,444
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 2 / S. 2824, Secure the Border Act H.R. 318, Border Safety and Security Act H.R. 29 / S. 5, Laken Riley Act S. 84, Sarah's Law H.R. 1792, No Tax Dollars for the United Nations Immigration Invasion Act H.R. 1168, Protecting Federal Funds from H…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CASA, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: CASA, INC.
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 8, 2025 · issue area: Immigration
$40,000
Spent on own lobbying
Issues related to Temporary Protection Status (TPS), S. 5/H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act), and H.R.32 (No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CASA, INC. · lobbying firm or registrant: CASA, INC.
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 8, 2025 · issue area: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties
$40,000
Spent on own lobbying
Issues related to data privacy, 287g contracts, mandatory reporting/detention, and S. 5/H.R. 29 (Laken Riley Act).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing