The Laken Riley Act has been approved by both the House and Senate, marking a significant step towards addressing illegal immigration. This bipartisan legislation will soon reach President Trump's desk, poised to be the first bill signed into law since Republicans gained control of Congress and the White House.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the act, passing it with a 263 to 156 vote. This followed an earlier passage on January 7th with a similar margin. A notable aspect of the recent vote was the increased bipartisan support, with 48 Democrats joining their Republican colleagues.
The Senate also demonstrated bipartisan cooperation, passing the bill with a 64 to 35 vote. Senators added provisions to the original House bill, including measures to deport individuals residing in the country illegally who commit assaults against law enforcement officers or inflict serious bodily harm or death upon others.
The core of the Laken Riley Act focuses on empowering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to detain individuals suspected of theft-related offenses who are in the country illegally. It also grants states the ability to pursue legal action against the Department of Homeland Security for damages incurred by citizens as a consequence of illegal immigration.
While the bill has garnered considerable support, some Democrats have expressed concerns about deporting individuals based on accusations rather than convictions. Conversely, proponents of the act emphasize that individuals residing in the country illegally are already in violation of existing laws. The increased Democratic support compared to previous votes suggests a shift in perspective on this issue.
Representative Mike Collins, the bill's sponsor, attributed the heightened public attention and demand for action on border security to the increased support for the Laken Riley Act. Representative Randy Feenstra, who championed Sarah's Law—an amendment incorporated into the bill—highlighted the importance of detaining and prosecuting individuals in the country illegally who harm or kill American citizens.
Republican lawmakers are actively working to fulfill President Trump's campaign promises to strengthen border security and address illegal immigration. The Laken Riley Act is viewed as a key component of this effort, and its passage is a testament to the GOP's commitment to enacting President Trump's agenda.
The bill derives its name from Laken Riley, a nursing student tragically killed by an individual residing in the country illegally while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. The perpetrator, Jose Ibarra, had prior arrests but was never detained by ICE. He has since been sentenced to life in prison for Riley's murder.
