NAPD Public Resources

The letter addresses the Laken Riley Act (S. 5), urging the United States Senate to oppose the bill due to its implications for undocumented individuals. It argues that the Act would enforce mandatory, prolonged detention based solely on arrests for theft-related offenses, undermining due process and potentially ensnaring innocent people. The letter highlights that such detention lacks judicial oversight and could lead to severe consequences for individuals, including parents of small children, who may be wrongfully detained without the opportunity to challenge their arrest or seek release. Furthermore, the letter emphasizes the negative impact the Laken Riley Act would have on the judicial process, as it would strain detention resources and hinder defense counsel's ability to access clients and prepare adequate defenses. The organizations assert that the existing federal authority to detain individuals facing deportation is sufficient and that the proposed Act lacks justification. They call for opposition to the bill and any potential amendments that would expand mandatory detention for other offenses, citing concerns over the administration of justice and the rights of the accused.