251-170: House passes Laken Riley Act to require the detention of any undocumented immigrant who is convicted of theft.

The House on Thursday passed a bill that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants who are convicted of theft.

The Laken Riley Act — named after a Georgia nursing student allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant — passed the House of Representatives in a 251-170 vote. 37 Democrats joined all Republicans present in voting “yes.”

Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) introduced the bill, which is another attempt by Republican lawmakers to put a spotlight on the immigration and the southern border — a key issue in the 2024 presidential campaign and a vulnerability for President Biden heading into the election.

Republicans have used Riley’s death to go after the Biden administration — arguing his policies have resulted in undocumented immigrants entering the country and committing crimes — approving the legislation hours before Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address.

The bill would be a sharp turn in detention policy at the border. Under the current administration, those arrested for nonviolent crimes have not been as highly prioritized by ICE.

The bill now heads to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it is unlikely to pass.