Senate expected to advance GOP immigration bill

The Senate is expected to take a bipartisan vote Thursday afternoon advancing the Laken Riley Act, making it the first bill Senate Republicans debate under their new majority.

The bill — which is named after a Georgia nursing student murdered last year and would mandate the detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with theft or burglary, among other provisions — passed the House earlier this week with notable bipartisan support.

All 52 Republican senators are expected to support the bill, and more than eight Democrats have said they will join them in Thursday’s procedural vote — vaulting the 60-vote filibuster-breaking threshold.

But it’s unclear how many of those Democrats will continue voting to advance the bill. Five have said they would pass the bill in its current form, while others have indicated they want amendments first. With Sen.-elect Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) getting sworn in next week, seven Democrats would have to support final passage.

How Democrats proceed on the bill will be a sign of how the Democratic Party is responding to concerns from Americans on immigration and border security after losing the presidential election and Senate majority last year.