D.C. squabbles over legislation detaining illegal immigrants charged with crimes

It shouldn’t take the murder of a young woman to pass common-sense legislation, but practical wisdom faces strong headwinds in these progressive political times.

The House passed legislation Thursday that would require the detention of undocumented migrants charged with theft or burglary, according to Politico.

The Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student allegedly murdered by an undocumented immigrant, passed 251170 with 37 Democrats in support.

The measure would also empower state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they can show their states are being harmed through failure to enforce national immigration policies.

None of this is rocket science. But it’s thanks to “sanctuary” policies that view Immigration and Customs Enforcement as villains and undocumented immigrants charged with crimes as victims that such legislative action is necessary. The Laken Rileys and other victims of crime allegedly committed by illegal immigrants are downplayed and dismissed.

To acknowledge that some illegal immigrants commit crimes and should be detained for doing so goes against the progressive narrative.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said the measure had improved since its inception, but that it faced a certain death in the Democraticcontrolled Senate.

“(It’s) still not great,” Roy said, arguing the bill remains too weak. “But, you know, we can try to move something — it’ll die in the Senate.”

Roy wasn’t just being jaded — there are Democrats slamming the legislation.

“This is just a totally cynical and disgusting attempt to exploit this tragedy to score cheap political points in an election year,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (DMass.), ranking member of the Rules Committee.

So an undocumented migrant accused of a crime shouldn’t be detained? In what scenario does that keep communities safe?

“House Republicans have turned this tragedy into a partisan attack on immigrant communities. This is a time to bring the community together, not tear them apart. These partisan policies fuel anti-immigrant hate, increase fear in immigrant communities, and make it more difficult for law enforcement to form the relationships necessary to prevent crime in our communities,” Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) said in a statement to Politico.

The legislation doesn’t paint all immigrants as criminals, but it does take action against those that are charged with crimes. Keeping their families safe is also a concern among immigrant communities. As many have fled crime in their home countries, it’s not an improvement to come to a country that lets those charged with crimes face few consequences.

Rep. Roy is right, the legislation will probably die in the Senate. The Senators who vote it down will do so amid polling that shows Americans see immigration as the most important issue facing the U.S.

Voters, particularly those in states taking in a steady influx of migrants, are taking notice. Democrats who assume their lax immigration and law enforcement views are shared among the electorate do so at their own risk.