The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly cleared a key procedural hurdle toward passing the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at curbing crime by migrants, in the first vote of the year by the chamber.

Senators cleared the first vote 84 to 9, with 33 Senate Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — joining with every Republican present to vote "yes." The legislation would mandate federal detention of immigrants without legal status accused of theft, burglary and other related crimes.

“The Laken Riley Act presents the Senate a simple choice: Are you willing to allow illegal immigrant criminals to roam free in our country? Or do you want to save American lives?” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said on the Senate floor before the vote.

“Protecting Americans from the dangers of a broken border makes sense to most of our citizens,” he added.

Thursday marked the first step in a string of votes before the bill could become law. Senate Republicans are expecting a number........

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