The U.S. Senate decisively voted 84-9 to initiate discussions on the Laken Riley Act, advancing the immigration legislation for further scrutiny and potential modifications prior to the official voting process. Originally turned down by the Democrat-controlled Senate during the 118th Congress, the bill’s proponent, Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., reintroduced it as a closed-rule bill, tacked onto the recently approved 119th House rules package. With 264 members in favor and 159 against, the House passed the bill on Tuesday, garnering support from 48 Democrats.
The proposed legislation mandates the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport any migrant unlawfully residing in the U.S. who is also linked to actions such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting – either by being charged, arrested, convicted, or confessing to such offenses.
Named in memory of Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia who tragically lost her life in February 2024 at the hands of Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national with a history of shoplifting in the U.S., the Laken Riley Act aims to prevent similar incidents by tightening immigration enforcement policies. Ibarra had been in law enforcement custody prior to committing the heinous act but was released.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., emphasized the stark decision facing the Senate in his address before the vote, framing the issue as a matter of prioritizing public safety over the liberties of undocumented individuals. “The Laken Riley Act presents the Senate a simple choice: are we willing to allow illegal immigrants to roam free in our country, or do we want to save American lives?” Barrasso stated passionately. “I’m voting to save American lives.”
Aside from the deportation provisions, the bill also empowers states to take legal action against federal officials who neglect or violate immigration laws. Furthermore, it grants individual Americans the right to seek financial restitution exceeding $100 from the government for damages directly caused by migrants.
The Riley family, in a poignant display of support for the legislation, submitted a testimony underscoring the importance of enacting measures to prevent future tragedies like the one that befell their beloved Laken.
In the wake of the Senate’s move to commence deliberations on the Laken Riley Act, the stage is set for robust exchanges and potential amendments as lawmakers seek to navigate the complexities of immigration policy while balancing concerns of national security and individual rights.
