The U.S. Senate on Friday cleared the way for final approval of a bill targeting undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, previewing how Republicans will use their majority to help Donald Trump deliver on his long-promised border crackdown — and an early test of how Democrats will respond.

The Laken Riley Act, named for a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by a Venezuelan national last year, cleared a key procedural hurdle in a 61-35 vote that pitted 10 Democrats against Republicans people to push for the bill. A final vote is scheduled for early next week, making it likely to be one of the first pieces of legislation he signs as president.

Under the bill, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) would be required to detain undocumented immigrants accused of crimes such as "burglary, burglary, theft, or shoplifting." The bill also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states have been harmed by the federal government's failure to enforce immigration laws.

Immigrant rights groups and legal experts worry that the bill, if enacted, would violate individuals' due process rights and could weaken federal power to enforce immigration laws. Progressives on Friday blasted Democrats for helping Trump achieve a quick legislative victory.

"Spineless. That's the only way to say it for 10 Senate Democrats who gave MAGA Republicans a gift they don't deserve," said Sarah Dohl, chief campaign officer for the progressive group Indivisible. “The Laken Riley Act is a racist, xenophobic attack on immigrants that crushes constitutional rights and hands power to extremists like (Texas Attorney General) Ken Paxton , to hijack federal immigration policy was not just cruel—it was a train wreck of chaos and malice, and yet Senate Democrats caved."

Republicans, meanwhile, welcomed the support from Democrats, which is necessary to pass the 60-vote threshold needed to end debate on the measure.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to protect our communities,” said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who introduced the bill in the Senate. “With today’s strong vote, we are in the final sprint to get the Laken Riley Act across the finish line, honoring her legacy and making America safer.”

The vote reflects a sharp shift in tactics among Democrats, especially since their first term in office, when they have fiercely and often unilaterally opposed aspects of his immigration agenda. Their defeat in the 2024 election has pushed some in the party to the right, and the issue is at the heart of Trump's campaign and a major issue for voters.

Despite Trump's success in the state, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat elected in November, co-sponsored the bill and voted in favor of it on Friday. The bill passed. He was joined by other border and swing state Democrats, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto and Jackie Rosen, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, New Hampshire Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, and Virginia Senator Mark Warner.

""Arizonas know the real-world consequences of today's border crisis," Gallego said in a statement Friday. "We must provide law enforcement with the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law to prevent people like Laken Lay It is beneficial to such a situation. "

Some Democratic critics and law enforcement groups have pointed to the huge costs and resources required to implement the bill if it passes. NPR obtained a memo from the Department of Homeland Security warning lawmakers that the bill would cost nearly $27 billion to implement in the first year and that "ICE will not be able to execute within existing resources."

Senate Democrats voted overwhelmingly to pass the bill last week and used the debate as an opportunity to propose amendments to the bill. In the House, dozens of Democrats joined all Republicans in passing an initial version of the bill this month. Since the Senate approved changes to the bill, the House must vote on the final version before sending it to Trump for his signature.

Earlier this week, 61 House Democrats backed a separate bill that would deport or prevent the entry of foreigners convicted of sexual abuse or domestic violence. Critics say the measure is unnecessary because it largely duplicates existing law.

Taken together, the votes represent an early victory for the Republican Party, which is headed for a third consecutive victory in office in Washington after Trump is inaugurated on Monday. After four years of attacks on the Biden administration's handling of immigration, congressional Republicans have made clear they intend to use their majorities to provide Trump with the resources to carry out his sweeping plan for mass deportations on a historic scale. And a costly commitment.

As senators vote to elect Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem testified to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that she will ensure immigration officials have all the "needs" needed to enforce Trump's border. Tools and Resources” suppression.

Immigration advocates are frustrated by Democrats' decisive role in Trump's first major legislative victory. Ahead of Friday's vote, Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of immigration advocacy group America's Voice, urged Democrats not to "fall for the bait" set by Republicans and warned that the Laken Riley bill It’s both “bad policy” and “bad politics.”

"Democrats are never going to get credit for voting for this. Republicans are always going to attack them," she said, adding: "Democrats really need to get their act together because there's definitely going to be more bills like this that they need to enact strategy, and then they need to provide a contrast. What they're doing now is playing on Republican territory."