Republicans tee up fast votes on Laken Riley Act to deport illegal immigrants who steal, shoplift
The Laken Riley Act is scheduled for a vote in the next few days. It would force Homeland Security to arrest and deport illegal aliens who shoplift, steal or commit other crimes.
On Tuesday, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, a Republican, unveiled the Senate version and Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, a Republican, revealed the House version.
The bill is expected to be voted on by the House GOP leadership Tuesday. With the support of the new Senate Majority leader John Thune, it will also likely move quickly in the upper chamber.
Riley, a nursing school student from Georgia, was killed last year by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant who was released by the Biden Administration and protected by sanctuary city policies which allowed him to accumulate a long rap sheet in the U.S.
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The murder helped turn illegal immigration from a simmering problem into a crisis that the Biden administration would have to deal with and sent a strong political message to Republicans.
“The American people didn’t just give a mandate, they gave a verdict on November 5. They were clear that they wanted to get rid of criminal illegal aliens, and protect American families. “We will know soon whether Democrats listen, respect and obey this verdict”, Ms. Britt stated.
Jose Ibarra was sentenced to prison for life after being convicted of Riley Riley’s murder. He entered the U.S. illegally on September 8, 2022. A day later, he was released under President Biden’s program of “parole”, which catches and releases immigrants.
He was arrested in New York City in 2023 for endangering children. A month later, he was charged with shoplifting in Georgia. He failed to appear in court two months later.
In spite of these entanglements U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t move to arrest him. Homeland Security issued him a permit to work in December 2023. This gave him a tool to bury himself into the community before Riley was murdered.
“An illegal criminal entered my district and murdered Laken Riley, because our local law-enforcement did not have the means to stop him,” said Mr. Collins. “Laken fought to the end, and I will fight until this bill reaches the finish line.”
The Laken Riley Act would force ICE to arrest illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses.
This would allow states to file a civil lawsuit in court against federal officials that refuse to enforce immigration laws.
Ted Budd, Senator from North Carolina, and Mr. Thune of South Dakota are among the more than 40 Senate Republicans who support this bill.
Budd stated that the Laken Riley Act would empower the Trump Administration to enforce laws, ensure the safety of our nation, and prevent tragedies.
Last year, a version of the Laken Riley Act passed the GOP-led House by a vote of 251 to 170. It was backed by more than 30 Democrats.
The Democrat-led Senate never voted on it.
The passage of the bill in the House is almost certain to occur this week.
Mr. Thune began Monday the process of placing Senate version of the Bill on the Calendar. This does not guarantee a voting but allows bills be bypassed committees and brought straight to the floor.
The Senate would need to pass the bill by 60 votes. This would require at least eight Democratic Caucus members to support it.
The bill is sponsored by Sen. John Fetterman (Democrat from Pennsylvania) and nearly all Senate Republicans.
Allyson Phillips and John Phillips – Riley’s stepfather and mother – urged Congress on the importance of passing this bill. They said it was a great way to honor Riley.
They said that “every single member of Congress” should be able support this bill, which is based on common sense and will make the country safer.
1 Comment
EMMA
Posted on January 7, 2025 at 11:59 am
THE DEMOCRATS ARE THE ONES THAT OPENED OUR BORDERS TO THESE CRIMINAL INVADERS. THEY SHOULD DEPORT THEM, TRUMP HAS ENOUGH TO DO FIXING OUR NATION AFTER BIDEN AND OBAMA DESTROYED OUR GREAT COUNTRY.