Senate passes bill to limit certain misdemeanors'immigration consequences after lawmakers debate

The Rhode Island Senate voted 30-1 on April 11 to pass Senate Bill 2100, legislation the sponsor said is intended to prevent certain misdemeanor convictions from being treated as aggravated felonies for immigration purposes.

Senator Acosta, the bill sponsor, said the measure addresses an "unintentional overlap" in misdemeanor sentencing and federal immigration consequences and described the repeated annual passage in the Senate and subsequent failure in the House in prior years. "Misdemeanor sentences were never meant to be interpreted as aggravated felonies," Acosta said, arguing the bill would reduce the risk of deportation for legal permanent residents convicted of misdemeanors.

Colleagues commended the sponsor and said the change aligns with efforts to reduce recidivism and keep families together. Senator Basilian urged other branches of state government to act as well and framed the bill as a step toward rehabilitation rather than increased incarceration.

Senator Bell spoke in defense of the chamber's former leader when his record was raised in debate but otherwise the discussion mainly focused on the bill's policy aims. The Senate recorded 30 votes in favor and one against; the bill passed and will proceed to the House.