The White House is staying quiet about whether President Joe Biden plans to sign the Laken Riley Act, a pivotal immigration bill introduced after the tragic murder of a young woman.

The Laken Riley Act, which has garnered bipartisan support in the Senate, aims to hold undocumented immigrants accountable for theft-related crimes, amid complex immigration reform discussions, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The legislation, driven by GOP lawmakers, has already cleared a significant hurdle by surpassing the 60-vote threshold in the Senate on Thursday.

This pivotal event paves the way for further debate on the bill, which seeks to reform federal law by mandating the detention of undocumented individuals for theft-related offenses.

Investigation Into High-Profile Murder Case

The act is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student whose tragic death spurred its introduction. Riley was murdered in February while jogging by José Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.

Ibarra has been convicted and handed a life sentence with no possibility of parole for charges including malice murder and kidnapping.

The case has sent ripples across the political spectrum, influencing more conservative stances on immigration among Democrats since the 2020 elections.

In response to the bill’s passage, the White House has opted to hold off on solidifying a stance, which could potentially allow former President Donald Trump to capitalize on the opportunity.

White House Spokesperson on Current Deliberations

For now, the administration remains noncommittal, evaluating the potential implications of the proposed legislation.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the deliberative approach, stating, "The process is still playing out. We want to evaluate the bill. We haven’t done that yet," indicating a possible delay in reaching a conclusion.

Biden's public statements have also drawn attention. During a State of the Union address, Biden mispronounced Laken Riley's name and faced backlash following comments concerning undocumented immigrants.

Biden's Comments on Immigration Policy

The president remarked on the dangers posed by undocumented immigrants, saying, "An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal! That’s right?" before expanding into broader concerns about violent incidents involving undocumented individuals.

However, Biden later clarified his stance on immigration, correcting his earlier language: "I shouldn’t have used illegal, it’s undocumented. Look, when I spoke about the difference between Trump and me, one of the things I talked about in the border..."

Biden's Conflicted Messaging

Biden acknowledged the contributions of immigrants to the nation’s economic growth, stating, "Look, they built the country. The reason our economy is growing..."

He outlined his administration's commitment to managing border issues while emphasizing respect and order in immigration policies.

Ongoing Political Dynamics and Amendment Considerations

As the bill moves forward in Congress, Democrats have signaled intentions to pitch amendments, reflecting cautious shifts in their approach to immigration topics.

ICE's projected $3 billion necessity for resources tied to this bill underscores the complex balancing act for lawmakers.

This ongoing legislative saga highlights multifaceted debates about immigration policy, crime, and federal law enforcement priorities. The decisions made in the coming weeks could significantly shape the country's path on these critical issues.