Based Underground is now a conservative news aggregator AND curated newsletter.
The House of Representatives passed the Laken and Riley Act (HR29) yesterday, sparking both celebration and controversy. Named after a University of Georgia student tragically murdered by a criminal alien, this legislation addresses immigration law enforcement and the detention of non-U.S. nationals involved in certain crimes. While it secured 264 votes in favor, it faced pushback, with 159 Democrats opposing it and 48 crossing party lines to support the measure.
What Is the Laken and Riley Act?
HR29 permits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain non-citizens arrested—though not necessarily convicted—for crimes like burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. It also provides states the right to sue the federal government if states like California refuse to enforce existing immigration laws. This new authority adds muscle to federal immigration enforcement by enabling DHS to act on arrests without awaiting convictions.
Supporters see this as an essential step to ensure the safety of American citizens. Critics, however, have raised constitutional concerns, particularly regarding due process. Arrests, rather than convictions, now serve as grounds for detaining individuals. Opponents argue this distinction risks compromising constitutional protections.
Partisan Divide Over the Bill
Despite its passage in the House, the voting breakdown showed a clear partisan split. While all House Republicans supported it, 159 Democrats voted against the measure. However, 48 Democrats joined in favor—indicating some bipartisan agreement on the need for stricter immigration enforcement.
Critics argue that the bill’s provisions undermine due process by focusing on arrests instead of proven guilt. However, advocates highlight the urgency of removing potentially dangerous individuals before further harm occurs. This tug-of-war emphasizes the ongoing national debate over immigration and public safety.
Implications for the Senate
Next, the Laken and Riley Act moves to the Senate, where another heated debate is expected. Given the growing frustration among Americans over public safety concerns, many observers believe it will pass. Senators opposing the act could face political consequences, as many voters demand stricter measures to address immigration and crime.
If it clears the Senate, the bill will head to President Trump, who has indicated he’ll sign it. This would mark a significant victory for advocates of tougher immigration enforcement and give the DHS broader authority to detain and deport individuals deemed dangerous.
Comparison to Kate’s Law
The Laken and Riley Act is substantial, but it’s not as far-reaching as Kate’s Law—a measure previously introduced by Bill O’Reilly. Under Kate’s Law, foreign nationals convicted of a crime, deported, and later re-entering the U.S. would face a mandatory 10-year prison sentence. Kate’s Law targets individuals who repeatedly flout U.S. immigration laws, focusing on convicted criminals rather than arrests.
The Laken and Riley Act, on the other hand, gives DHS the power to act earlier in the legal process. This distinction makes it a useful tool for immigration enforcement but invites criticism over its focus on arrests rather than proven guilt.
Broader Public Impact
The passage of this bill reflects growing public frustration with crime and immigration issues. Many Americans demand stronger tools to protect their communities. By detaining individuals arrested for certain crimes, DHS can act quickly to remove those who may pose a danger.
The opposition to the bill highlights ongoing concerns about balancing enforcement and constitutional rights. Some fear it sets a precedent for action without sufficient evidence, raising questions about fairness in the legal system.
Conclusion
The Laken and Riley Act represents a bold step in addressing immigration enforcement and public safety. While its supporters argue it ensures swift action against potential threats, critics warn of potential constitutional challenges. With its passage in the House, the spotlight now shifts to the Senate, where its fate will be determined.
As Americans remain divided over the balance between security and civil liberties, this legislation underscores the broader national debate over how to handle immigration effectively while upholding legal protections. One thing is clear: the demand for action on these issues will only grow in the months ahead.
Video summary generated with the assistance of AI.
Mark Zuckerberg Claims Facebook Is Ditching “Fact-Checkers” and Going to Community Notes Similar to 𝕏
by JD Rucker
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a scoundrel, a billionaire snake who has backstabbed pretty much everyone he’s personally dealt with ever since rising to prominence. He spent over $400 million of his own money to prevent President Donald Trump from winning in 2020. His “platform” has been amongst the most…
Bill O’Reilly to Donald Trump: “The Press Hates You”
by Podcaster
There has been a very noticeable shift in the way legacy media is covering the transition for President Trump compared to his first victory in 2016. It seems that many in legacy media are toning down their rhetoric and preparing to treat President Trump more “fairly.” According to Bill O’Reilly,…
The Biggest Sale on Beef With 25-Year Shelf-Life EVER
by Sponsored Post
Let’s cut to the chase. Prepper All-Naturals is offering an unprecedented 40% off for its “Beef Steak” survival bags with promo code “steak40”. With a 25-year shelf life and a single ingredient (beef, of course), our most popular product is available for a very limited time with the biggest discount…
The Climate Agenda’s March Through the Institutions: Can It Be Stopped?
by Daily Signal
A spate of stories in the media recently provides a remarkable illustration of how the globalist policy agenda of the climate-industrial complex has captured key international institutions and perverted their original organizational aims. From initially serving broad, laudable objectives for the welfare of their constituents, these institutions have been subverted…
About That Video of Deb Fischer’s Husband and Kamala Harris That’s Circulating on Social Media
by Red State
Social media platforms can be bowls of dumb on any given day (that goes double for BlueSky), and Monday was no exception, with the certification of Donald Trump’s November election victory bringing out some fresh cray-cray from Democrats and their media allies. Though the President-Elect certainly does bring out the…
Trump Denies “Fake News” Report on Changes to Economic Plans
by Publius
President-elect Donald Trump has refuted a Washington Post report suggesting his aides were considering a more restrained tariff policy. The report claimed that Trump’s transition team was contemplating a tariff plan that would be less extensive than his campaign promises, targeting only imports deemed critical to national or economic security….
Radicalized Knife-Wielding Man Attempts to Storm Belgian Prime Minister’s Offices Shouting ‘Allah Akbar’
by RAIR Foundation
Brussels, Belgium — January 6, 2025: A potentially deadly attack was narrowly avoided this morning when a “radicalized” man in his twenties armed with a knife attempted to break into the offices of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The incident occurred at 16 rue de la Loi as the…
Gold Breaks Out With Central Bank Surge and Interest Rate Drops Expected
by Sponsored Post
Precious metals are seeing gains once again following the post-election dip, just as many economists had expected. Even China, which had been holding back for five months, returned to purchasing massive quantities of gold. “Falling U.S. interest rates and ongoing solid demand from central banks are supporting the gold price,”…
JPMorgan: “Debasement Trade” Into Bitcoin and Gold Is Here to Stay
by Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
(Zero Hedge)—The so-called “debasement trade” into gold and Bitcoin is “here to stay” as investors brace for persistent geopolitical uncertainty, according to a Jan. 3 research note by JPMorgan shared with CoinTelegraph. Gold and BTC “appear to have become more important components of investors’ portfolios structurally” as they increasingly seek to…
Study of 9 Million Exposes ‘Devastating’ Neurological Damage Surge Among Covid-Vaxxed
by Slay News
An explosive new study involving almost 9 million participants has exposed a devasted surge in deadly neurological and psychiatric damage among those who received Covid mRNA “vaccines.” According to the peer-reviewed study, just one dose of an mRNA injection puts recipients at risk of suffering several severe neurological diseases. The…
More Details Emerge Regarding the Plan to Kill a Supreme Court Justice
by Zachary Stieber, The Epoch Times
(The Epoch Times)—A California man allegedly told authorities that he flew to the East Coast to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, according to newly filed court documents. Nicholas Roske flew across the country from California to Virginia on June 7, 2022, landing just before midnight. He got into a…
First US Death From H5N1 Bird Flu Reported in Louisiana
by Infowars
On the same day Congress certified Trump’s election victory – and with just 14 days before he takes office – the official confirmation of the nation’s first “H5N1-related human death” has been reported in Louisiana. Notably, authorities have made it clear that all we will know about the diseased patient…
Embracing Natural Foods: A Path to Better Health and Healing
by Local News
A diet high in natural foods has many benefits, from reducing the risk of disease and obesity to the vitamins and nutrients that natural foods contain that can aid in the healing of certain health conditions or diagnoses. Using natural foods in our diets is vital for Americans to become…
Dana White Has Joined Meta’s Board of Directors
by Cactus Williams, Discern Report
UFC CEO and long-time friend of Donald Trump, Dana White, has joined Meta’s board of directors alongside Charlie Songhurst and John Elkann. This is just the latest in a series of decisions Meta has made following Trump’s historic electoral victory which seemed to be aimed at cozying up to the…