Massachusetts Congressman Richard Neal and seven other Bay State members of the House of Representatives voted against the now enacted Laken Riley Act.
According to the website www.congress.gov, the law "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."
Neal, who represents the First Massachusetts Congressional District, said he agrees undocumented migrants convicted of a felony should be deported. However, he believes one of the problems with the legislation is someone could be charged or deported based on suspicion.
Congressman Neal, "The problem is, what if one is arrested on the suspicion, for example, of stealing something without proof or without a finding? They would be subject under this law to deportation as well. That is a different consideration."
Congressman Stephen Lynch of the Eighth District was the only Massachusetts House member to vote for the law.