Razor wire on the US-Mexico border in Texas —AP

Agencies WASHINGTON 

The Republican-led US House on Wednesday gave final approval to a Bill that requires the detainment of unauthorised migrants accused of theft and violent crimes, marking the first legislation that President Donald Trump can sign as Congress, with some bipartisan support, swiftly moved in line with his plans to crackdown on illegal immigration.

Passage of the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan man, shows just how sharply the political debate over immigration has shifted to the right following Trump's election victory.

Immigration policy has often been one of the most entrenched issues in Congress, but a crucial faction of politically vulnerable Democrats joined with Republicans to lift the strict proposal to passage on a 263-156 vote tally. “For decades, it has been almost impossible for our government to agree on solutions for the problems at our border and within our country,” said Sen.

Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican. She called the legislation “perhaps the most significant immigration enforcement bill” to be passed by Congress in nearly three decades. Still, the Bill would require a massive ramp-up in the US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s capabilities, but does not include any new funding.

Republican congressional leaders have made it clear they intend to follow suit, though their toughest challenge will be finding a way to approve the funding to actually implement Trump’s hard-line plans. “What he’s doing is kickstarting what will ultimately be our legislative agenda,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

House Republicans initially passed the legislation last year with support from 37 Democrats in a move that was intended to deliver a political rebuke to then-President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border. It then languished in the Democratic-controlled Senate.