WASHINGTON (AP) — Newly in the minority, Democrats voted with Republicans on Thursday to advance legislation that would require federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes — signaling that they will try and find spots to work with President-elect Donald Trump while simultaneously trying to block much of his agenda.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and most other Democrats voted to proceed with the legislation, advancing the bill 84-9. Trump and Republicans have pushed the bill and made it a priority since Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.
Still, Schumer hasn’t promised to vote for the final bill — and he made clear that Democrats want Republicans to work with them on bipartisan amendments. Thursday’s procedural vote will allow that process to begin.
On the Senate floor ahead of the vote, Schumer said that new Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., “has said he wants to make the Senate a place where all members should have a chance to make their voices heard. This bill would be a fine place to start.”
Schumer’s support for the bill comes after Democrats lost the Senate and the presidency in the November elections and are trying to thoughtfully pick their battles against Trump while still trying to block much of his agenda. Republicans will need seven Democratic votes to pass most major policy items in the 53-47 Senate, and Schumer has said repeatedly that Thune will have to work with them to get things done.
The new Democratic strategy is a shift from Trump's first term, when Democrats openly and aggressively fought Trump on most issues. And it's evidence of the delicate balance that Schumer is trying to strike after Republicans dominated last year's elections and as some of the more moderate members of his caucus are trying to show they can work with the new president.
Several Democrats who were up for election last year embraced stricter immigration controls partly to blunt GOP attacks as the Biden administration struggled to manage an influx of migrants at the Southwest border. Some of those Democrats suggested they could support the final bill.
Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a freshman Democrat who was elected in November, posted on X that “Michiganders have spoken loudly and clearly that they want action to secure our southern border. We must get past petty partisanship that continues to dominate the immigration debate.”
Slotkin said she hopes there will be an amendment process once debate begins next week. Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, a lead Republican on the bill, told reporters afterward that Republicans are open to working with Democrats on amendments but that they would oppose efforts to expand the bill beyond its original scope.
Beyond the immigration bill, some Democrats are showing their willingness to work with Trump by supporting some of his nominees.
Nevada Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen, for example, met with New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations, and posted on X, “I look forward to working with her.” Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Jon Fetterman has met with two of Trump's more controversial nominees, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel, and announced Thursday that he will visit Trump at his home in Florida.
Fetterman said on ABC's “This Week” on Sunday that he's been telling Democrats that “the constant freak out. It’s not helpful.”
Democratic leaders appear to agree. As he tries to navigate the new era, Schumer has been working to tie most of the Democrats' positions to the economy, not Trump himself.
“If Republicans want to work with us on real policies that lower costs for real working Americans, we’re glad to partner with them,” Schumer said.
On the immigration bill, Schumer noted in his morning remarks that Thursday's vote was “not a vote on the bill itself,” but a vote to move to debate. “Democrats want to have a robust debate where we can offer amendments and improve this bill,” he said.
It's unclear whether Schumer will vote for the final product or if it will have enough Democratic votes to pass.
The House passed the legislation earlier this week, making the legislation one of the first actions in the newly Republican-controlled Congress after they seized on Riley’s murder as a rallying point during the election. It would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest unauthorized migrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and mandate that they are detained until they are removed from the U.S.
The bill also would allow states to sue the federal government if they can demonstrate harm caused by immigrants who enter the country illegally.
In a call ahead of the vote, former government officials and immigration advocates asked the Senate to not pass the bill and warned that the legislation, if approved, would be unconstitutional and would help President-elect Trump to implement an anti-immigration agenda.
“It strains Border Patrol and ICE resources, hamstrings their ability to focus on real security threats, and prioritizes the detention of individuals with minor infractions over violent, convicted offenders,” said Jason Houser, former chief of staff at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Joe Biden. “If enacted, it will leave fewer violent offenders in detention and weaken our ability to protect communities.”
The House passed the bill last year, but Schumer did not bring it up for a vote when Democrats were in the majority.
Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed to this report.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., center, joined from left by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., speaks to reporters about the Laken Riley Act, a bill to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., center, flanked by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., left, and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., speaks to reporters about the Laken Riley Act, a bill to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Georgia nursing student Laken Riley was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — At least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Fast-moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as residents fled smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities.
Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph (112 kph) in some spots. The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly and the wind is expected to strengthen again Thursday evening. Another round of strong winds may form Tuesday.
The exact death toll remained unclear Thursday, but the total is expected to rise as crews begin to search the rubble.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona were dispatching teams to assist.
AccuWeather estimated Wednesday that $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss has occurred as the fires continue to burn. Government officials have not yet released any damage estimates.
Here's what to know about the fires:
Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.
Nearly 27 square miles (nearly 70 square kilometers) burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” The flames torched part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years.
Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned between 200 and 500 structures, substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Employees at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.
The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).
Late Wednesday, another blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills. Called the Sunset Fire, it was burning near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks, but firefighters were able to hold that blaze to under 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).
Altogether, the fires have consumed about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers) — roughly the size of San Francisco.
President Joe Biden said during a White House briefing with staff Thursday that he was making federal resources available and has approved additional funding to help California battle the devastating fires, saying they were the “worst fires to ever hit Los Angeles. Ever.”
The new funding will cover 100% of the cost for 180 days for hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and measures to protect life, he said.
Biden said he wasn’t in a position to answer whether California would continue to receive federal funding to help combat the fires after President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20. “I pray to God they will,” Biden said.
Nearly 180,000 people were under evacuation orders Thursday morning.
The flames threatened highly populated and affluent neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.
The fires filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.
Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke causes heart attacks and worsens asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.
The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled their Sunday ceremonies for Jan. 26. They're due to be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, only miles from Pacific Palisades.
The organization that puts on the Oscars has extended the voting window for Academy Awards nominations and delayed next week’s planned nominations announcement.
Film studios canceled two movie premieres because of the fires and windy weather, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day and the J. Paul Getty Trust said two of its museums will remain closed for the next few days. But Disneyland, which is farther from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.
Universal Studios also canceled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.”
All schools were closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The NBA postponed Thursday's scheduled Lakers game against the Hornets because of the fires while the NFL said it is monitoring conditions to determine if Monday's playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings will be affected.
The NHL postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game against the Calgary Flames Wednesday.
More than 415,000 customers were without power in Southern California on Thursday afternoon, with about half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.
Residents in some areas including Palisades have been ordered to boil their water before using it because ash and debris from the fires have contaminated some water supplies. Officials say the sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged.
Looters who are taking advantage of the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles by targeting vulnerable communities will be prosecuted, officials promised during a news conference Thursday. There have been at least 20 arrests.
“This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”
Lisa Renn looks at remains of car in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Beach front properties are left destroyed by the Palisades Fire, in this aerial view, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
A man searches though his destroyed home after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
The sun rises as the Palisades Fire ravagee a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Residents are evacuated from a senior living facility as the Eaton Fire approaches Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A plume of smoke from a wildfire forms over the city's basin Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Firefighters look over a home after the Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Robert Lara, left, looks for belongings along with his stepfather after the Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Josh Lederer wears a mask to protect him from fumes as he retrieves his children's clothes from his fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
A firefighter protects a beachfront property while fighting the Palisades Fire on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Thick heavy smoke from wildfires passes over the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
The Eaton Fire engulfs a property Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Firefighters protect a structure as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Residents embrace in front of burning structures as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Fire explodes out of a window of the Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Firefighters work inside a burned structure while battling the Eaton Fire, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Trees sway in high winds as the Eaton Fire burns structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
People watch as the Eaton Fire destroys a neigborhood Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Firefighters work a hydrant in front of the burning Bunny Museum, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A man walks his bike among the ruins left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Eaton Fire burns vehicles and structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
