A number of Senate Democrats say they will vote to advance an anti-illegal immigration bill that would require federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants found guilty of theft -- increasing the bill’s chance of passing in the upper chamber.

At least eight Senate Democrats are expected to vote to advance the bill in the upper chamber, giving it the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster if all Republicans vote in favor. It would then begin debate on the bill, and eventually a vote on final passage, where it would only need 51 votes to pass and send it to the president's desk.

Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., Gary Peters, D-Mich., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Angus King, I-Maine, and John Fetterman, D-Ariz., have all said they will support advancing the bill. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he is likely to support advancing the bill. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., previously voted for the bill in the House.

LAKEN RILEY ACT PASSES HOUSE WITH 48 DEMS, ALL REPUBLICANS 

"You know, I plan. I plan to support it. Because if you're a criminal, you should be held accountable," Rosen said.

Hickenlooper's office said he will vote to let the bill proceed to amend it, but "he does not support the Laken Riley Act in its current form."

A senior GOP staffer told Fox News Digital that they believe they have the votes to proceed to a full debate. Sen. Kelly echoed those comments.

"Yeah I think it will," he said when asked by Fox if it will get more than 60 votes.

The bill, The Laken Riley Act, passed the House on Tuesday with 48 Democrats voting in favor, is named after a nursing student killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia’s campus last year.

It not only requires the feds to detain illegal immigrants guilty of committing theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported, but also allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration. Riley’s killer, Jose Ibarra, had previous arrests, including for theft, but had never been in ICE detention.

HOUSE, SENATE REPUBLICANS REVIVE TRUMP-BACKED PUSH TO CRACK DOWN ON NONCITIZEN VOTING 

It was the first bill introduced in the House in the new Congress and indicates how tackling illegal immigration, both at the border and in the interior, is likely to be a top priority for Republicans and some Democrats.

President-elect Trump won his presidential campaign in part by focusing on the border crisis which had plagued the Biden administration before a recent, sharp drop in numbers. Trump has pledged to carry out a "historic" mass deportation campaign and his team have indicated they intend to push back against "sanctuary" cities that refuse to comply with ICE.

A number of the Democrats saying they will support the bill have a looming re-election fight. Sens. Shaheen, Peters and Hickenlooper are all up for re-election in 2026 and illegal immigration could again be a crucial issue as it was in many races in 2024.

Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.

As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to devastate the area, one key game of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend is being monitored closely. 

Monday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings could be impacted by the wildfires, and the league released a statement saying as such. 

"The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA," the league wrote in a statement, per ESPN.

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At least 70,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as three major fires burn from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena. Officials say the number of evacuation orders continue to be fluid as the fires rage on. 

The Rams made an announcement on Wednesday that no players or staff members have been impacted by the fires, but they’re also monitoring the situation closely. 

"Our hearts are with those affected by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena/Pasadena area and the first responders protecting our community. Be safe," the Rams said in a statement on Wednesday. 

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FORCE FRANTIC RESIDENTS TO FLEE: SLIDESHOW

Rams star receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were among many who posted on X to show support for their community in this tough time. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires," Kupp said. "Thank you to the firefighters, first responders, and everyone else doing their best in unfathomable circumstances."

Nacua added: "Thank you to all of the first responders! God bless the families impacted!"

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers, who share SoFi Stadium with the Rams, altered their practice schedule on Wednesday to limit players’ time outside, a team official told ESPN. The Chargers head to Houston to face the Texans on Saturday. 

Air quality is a major concern due to the fires, as indexes have varied between 150 and 300 depending on location, with 150 being categorized as "very unhealthy" to breathe. 

Inglewood, the home of SoFi Stadium and the location of the Rams’ wild-card game, had an air quality index of 281 on Wednesday. 

Weather conditions are not helping firefighters control the flames, as it’s been too windy to fight the fires with aircraft. 

The Los Angeles Fire Department has already put out a plea for any off-duty firefighters to help, with thousands already working day and night to get them under control. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A local golf course in Southern California has felt the wrath of the wildfires sweeping throughout the Los Angeles area.

Altadena Golf Course, located in Altadena less than five miles from Rose Bowl Stadium, said in an Instagram post on Wednesday that its clubhouse "did not survive" the flames.

A video posted to their Instagram page showed flames burning from the ground and the building being singed.

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"We will come back stronger," the course said in the post.

The nine-hole course opened in 1910 and was damaged by the Eaton Fire.

The fires have hit the sports world over the last 24 hours. Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said his family needed to evacuate their home, and Wednesday's L.A. Kings game against the Calgary Flames, set to be played at Crypto.com Arena, has been postponed.

President Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom met with firefighting officials for a briefing on statewide wildfires on Wednesday.

LAKERS COACH JJ REDICK, PALISADES RESIDENT, OFFERS 'THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS' AFTER FAMILY EVACUATED DUE TO FIRES

Biden received a brief update from officials before addressing reporters. Newsom thanked Biden for federal support in the fight, but neither politician took questions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse California for costs associated with hiring more firefighters and controlling the raging wildfires that have ripped through Southern California. 

Newsom deployed the National Guard on Wednesday to help fight the fires as nearly 100 schools in the Los Angeles area were closed.

At least two people have reportedly been killed while several firefighters and civilians have been injured.

Fox News' Anders Hagstrom, Greg Norman and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

• Mark Zuckerberg dismisses concerns over users leaving after Meta ends U.S. fact-checking.
• Meta plans to replace third party fact-checking with a crowdsourced Community Notes system like X's.
• Zuckerberg is confident Community Notes will improve user experience and attract new users.

Mark Zuckerberg dismissed concerns about users leaving Meta platforms in response to the company's decision to end its U.S. fact-checking program, saying any exits would be "virtue signaling."

In a reply on Threads to a user's post criticizing Meta's influence and suggesting that people feel trapped on the platform, Zuckerberg struck a defiant tone.

"No – I'm counting on these changes actually making our platforms better," he wrote.

I think Community Notes will be more effective than fact-checkers, reducing the number of people whose accounts get mistakenly banned is good, people want to be able to discuss civic topics and make arguments that are in the mainstream of political discourse, etc. Some people may leave our platforms for virtue signaling, but I think the vast majority and many new users will find that these changes make the products better.

Zuckerberg's response to the Threads user named Mary-Frances Makichen, who has 253 followers and is a "Spiritual Director" and author according to their bio, came just one day after Meta announced it would replace its third-party fact-checking partnerships with a crowdsourced Community Notes system similar to the one used by X.

Mass departures from social media platforms for symbolic reasons are not unprecedented.

On Election Day in the US, more than a quarter million X users deleted their accounts in protest against owner Elon Musk's deepening ties to the Trump administration.

Zuckerberg, however, appears unfazed, betting that Community Notes will enhance Meta's user experience and attract new audiences rather than drive them away.

If you're a current or former Meta employee, contact this reporter from a nonwork device securely on Signal at +1-408-905-9124 or email him at [email protected].

The first 7,500 fans in attendance for the Penguins' matchup against the Senators will receive the bobblehead.

Apple Intelligence’s notification summaries have been causing a stir for unintentionally creating fake news, as especially highlighted by the BBC. Apple is planning a tweaked UI, but here’s why that doesn’t go far enough, and what the real fix could be.

more…

Although freshwater habitats cover less than 1 percent of the Earth's surface, they support 10 percent of known animal species.

Two of the former child stars from the beloved 2000s Jack Black film tied the knot, and their bandmates were there to cheer them on.

Police said a man trying to enter the visitor center was carrying a machete and three knives.

"I don't know what he what he means by that," Florida Senator Rick Scott said when asked about Trump's Greenland comments.

49ers general manager John Lynch addresses a potential extension for quarterback Brock Purdy this offseason.

Criminal defendants are supposed to file an appeal with a state's high court before taking a legal matter to the Supreme Court.

The BBC's Analysis Editor Ros Atkins takes a look at why President-elect Donald Trump is talking about annexing Greenland.

Emma Vardy assesses the damage along Pacific Coast Highway, as winds continue to worsen the fires in the area.

Brittany is already mom to kids Sterling and Bronze whom she shares with husband Patrick Mahomes

Matthew Livelsberger, 37, died in the attack that injured seven people

"A sign of how much love was in this house," Pratt wrote alongside a photo of his son's burning bed

"The L.A. County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four,” L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said

The dad of three shares his daughter Penelope, 12, and sons Mason, 15, and Reign, 10, with ex Kourtney Kardashian Barker

The officers are no longer employed by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department