EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island's members of the U.S. House of Representatives voted against the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, which passed the chamber with nearly 50 Democrats joining all House Republicans in a 264-159 vote. The bill was sponsored by Congressman Mike Collins, R-Georgia, and orders the Department of Homeland Security to detain migrants without legal status when accused of shoplifting, theft and similar crimes. READ MORE: House passes Laken Riley Act This bill is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia who was killed in February by a Venezuelan migrant. Democratic Congressman Gabe Amo told 12 News in a statement the bill "exploits a terrible tragedy to score cheap political points." "It is a fact that those who are convicted of a felony are already subject to deportation with the laws currently on the books," Amo added. "And it is a fact that this flawed bill would eliminate due process by subjecting DREAMers and Temporary Protected Status recipients who are legally in this country to mandatory detention — even if they are never charged with a crime, or worse, wrongfully accused." As for future work on improving the country's immigration system, Amo said he'd continue to work with his colleagues who are "interested in serious solutions as opposed to fear-mongering political stunts." ALSO READ: Schools around the US are weighing responses to possible immigration raids Collins' legislation would also allow states to sue the federal government in the event they can prove that not enforcing immigration policies hurt them. Democratic Congressman Seth Magaziner, who is on the House Committee on Homeland Security, had similar concerns as Amo. "This bill, however, goes too far by providing for indefinite detention for those merely accused of minor nonviolent offenses without a conviction or any due process, and would apply even to DREAMers who came to the country as young children through no fault of their own," Magaziner said. "I would welcome an opportunity to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to pass common sense immigration reform that makes our country safer." The bill had a procedural vote Thursday afternoon in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate to open it up for debate. A total of 84 senators voted in favor to proceed with debate, with one of those being U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, according to his spokesperson. Whitehouse was also part of the 84 'yes' votes. Massachusetts Congressmen Jake Auchincloss and Bill Keating also opposed the bill. Auchincloss said in a statement that the bill "undermines the constitution without improving border security." "A criminal conviction already makes someone subject to detention and deportation, as it should," he explained. "This bill makes an arrest -- not a conviction -- cause for indefinite detention, which deprives individuals (including DREAMers) of due process." Keating's office didn't respond to a request for comment about his vote. NEXT: McKee rejects calls to declare homelessness emergency Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes SIGN UP NOW