The bill, which would require federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants arrested for theft-related crimes, was the first to be voted on by the newly installed Republican-controlled Senate.

The Senate cleared the 60-vote threshold to begin debate on a GOP priority, with Democrats backing it as the party recalibrates politically on immigration. Final passage is still uncertain.

A GOP-led bill that would hold migrants in the country illegal accountable for committing crimes gained momentum in the Senate and beat the filibuster in an 84 to 9 vote. Utah Republican Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act,

The US Senate has advanced the controversial Laken Riley Act, an anti-immigrant bill mandating the imprisonment of any non-US national charged with theft.