Laken Riley Act: Bipartisan Effort to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement and Enhance Citizen Safety

The Laken Riley Act, a bipartisan effort to strengthen immigration enforcement, gains momentum in Congress with support from both Republicans and Democrats.

At a Glance

Introduced by Sen. Katie Britt with bipartisan support, including Sen. John Fetterman
Requires ICE to detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting
Allows states to sue federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws
Named after Laken Riley, a student murdered by an illegal alien
Passed the House with 264-159 votes, including 48 Democrats

Bipartisan Support for Stronger Immigration Enforcement

The Laken Riley Act, introduced in the 119th Congress, has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. U.S. Senator Katie Britt, along with Senators Ted Budd, John Thune, and John Fetterman, spearheaded the bill’s introduction. The legislation aims to close loopholes in immigration enforcement by mandating that the Department of Homeland Security detain illegal immigrants arrested for minor infractions.

The act’s core provision requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting until they are removed from the United States. This measure seeks to prevent tragedies like the one that befell Laken Riley, a nursing student murdered by an illegal alien with prior offenses.

ICE reported tens of thousands of migrants with criminal records — homicide or sexual assault.

425,000 have criminal records in total and should be deported.

I support a secure border.

I support a legal path for Dreamers.

I support the Laken Riley Act. https://t.co/elEuIByd6s

— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 7, 2025

Empowering States and Honoring Laken Riley

A key feature of the Laken Riley Act is the provision allowing states to bring civil actions against federal officials who do not enforce immigration laws. This empowers state attorneys general to sue for injunctive relief if the federal government fails to uphold its responsibilities. The legislation’s name honors Laken Riley, whose tragic death has become a rallying point for stricter immigration enforcement.

“It’s impossible to fully describe what was taken from Laken and from our family on February 22, 2024. Laken’s life was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise. She was a beautiful, shining beacon in the life of everyone who knew her. Not only did the people who knew and loved Laken lose a beautiful soul, but so did our world. Laken shared her love for Jesus with everyone she encountered. Laken’s passion for sharing her faith through acts of kindness were felt by everyone she met. Laken was selfless, hardworking and made those around her feel special. Laken did not just talk about her faith, she led by example,” said Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather. “The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it would help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. Laken would have been 23 on January 10th. There is no greater gift that could be given to her and our country than to continue her legacy by saving lives through this bill. Every single member of Congress should be able to get behind this purely commonsense bill that will make our country and communities safer. We thank Congressman Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and Senator Ted Budd for continuing to work to honor Laken’s legacy and get this legislation enacted into law.”

The bill’s passage in the House, with a vote of 264-159 including 48 Democrats, demonstrates its bipartisan appeal. However, the Senate faces a higher hurdle, requiring at least eight Democrats to join Republicans to overcome a 60-vote filibuster.

Senator John Fetterman Defends Laken Riley Act!

"if you are here illegally, and you are committing crimes and those things, I don't know why anybody thinks that it's controversial that they all need to go." pic.twitter.com/lPkS9RO1zu

— DeVory Darkins (@devorydarkins) January 8, 2025

Democratic Support and Challenges

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has emerged as a key Democratic supporter of the Laken Riley Act. His backing signifies a potential shift in the party’s approach to immigration enforcement.

“Laken Riley’s story is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake when our systems fail to protect people. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence. I support giving authorities the tools to prevent tragedies like this one while we work on comprehensive solutions to our broken system.” – Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA)

While some Democrats have expressed openness to the bill, others remain skeptical. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) criticized the legislation as potentially leading to unproductive lawsuits. The debate highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving bipartisan consensus on immigration policy.

As the Senate prepares to vote on the Laken Riley Act, its passage could mark a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy. The bill’s supporters argue it’s a commonsense measure to enhance community safety, while critics worry about its broader implications for immigration policy. The outcome of this vote will likely have far-reaching consequences for both immigration enforcement and political dynamics in Congress.