In a surprising turn of events, many Senate Democrats joined Republicans on Thursday to move forward with a bill that would require authorities to detain undocumented immigrants accused of specific crimes. This comes as a shift in strategy for Democrats, who are trying to pick their battles wisely after losing the Senate and the presidency in the last elections.

Democrats, led by Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, want to work with the new majority leader, John Thune, to make their voices heard and potentially influence the bill. The vote, which passed 84-9, allows the process to begin with debates and potential amendments. Schumer emphasized that this is not a final vote on the bill but a step to open the discussion.

The bill gained traction after the tragic death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Republicans and Democrats alike have pushed for the bill's passage. However, Schumer has not agreed to support the final bill, indicating that he wants bipartisan amendments considered.

Senators from both parties are showing willingness to cooperate, with some Democrats even suggesting they might back the final bill. Freshman Democrat Elissa Slotkin from Michigan expressed her support, noting that her constituents want action on border security. She, along with other Democrats and Republicans, hopes for a robust amendment process.

Meanwhile, the bill requires ICE to arrest undocumented immigrants for certain crimes and mandates their detention until removal. It also allows states to sue the federal government for damages caused by undocumented immigrants. Critics warn that the bill could strain resources and prioritize minor offenses over serious ones, potentially weakening security.

The House had already passed the bill, using the murder of Riley as a rallying point. The Senate vote is one of the first major actions in the new Congress. Whether Schumer and other Democrats will ultimately vote for the bill remains uncertain.

Senate Democrats and Republicans Team Up on Immigration Bill

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