After failing to advance during last year's Congress, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is again sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which would require Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses until they are removed from the United States.
The bill's name comes from the February 2024 abduction and murder of Laken Riley, who was an undergraduate student at the Augusta University nursing school and a former student at the University of Georgia. The suspect in the case is a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra, from Venezuela, who police say abducted Riley while she was jogging on the UGA campus. Police previously released Ibarra after charging him with shoplifting.
In addition to requiring ICE to arrest and remove specific illegals, it would also ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
Last year, the Senate delayed voting on the act multiple times after it passed the House with a vote of 251-170.
This year, Britt re-filed the bill with U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.). The House version of the bill passed on Tuesday with 48 House Democrats voting in support, including U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile).
Britt also has the backing of others from across the aisle, such as U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).
Fetterman appeared on Fox News Channel's "Special Report" with Britt to tout the bill on Tuesday.
"[I] would like to remind everybody that we have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of migrants here illegally that have been convicted of crimes," Fetterman said. "And I don't know why -- who wants to defend, to allow them to remain in our nation? And now, 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.'
"Do you think that this was one of, if not the biggest issue for this election?" FNC host Bret Baier asked.
"Well, I think if we can't -- you know, there is 47 of us in the Senate, and if we can't pull up with seven votes, if we can't at least seven out of 47, if we can't, then that's the reason why we lost," Fetterman replied. "That's one of them. That's one reason why we lost, in part."
"And Bret, if you think about that, I mean, that's what he is saying, needing the seven votes to be able to debate this bill," Britt added. "And I think the American people have already answered that question. They have said we want you to find ways to have commonsense, bipartisan solutions to help us secure our border and keep our country and community safe. And so I'm hope of that our colleague will come together and say let's talk about this."
On Tuesday, Britt announced the bill's filing while lamenting the state of the U.S. southern border under the outgoing Biden administration. Still, she has a hopeful outlook for the future under a second Trump administration and a GOP majority in Congress.
"The American people spoke loud and clear that they're not going to accept business as usual," Britt said. "They're done with the Biden administration's dangerous open border policies and ultimately sick with America being put last. So, this bill is the start of what a Republican Majority looks like. It is plain and commonsense; that's why 37 House democrats voted in favor of it last year."
She continued, "This is the type of thing that the American people have clearly said that they want us to do. They clearly want us to protect our most vulnerable. And if your government can't protect you, can't keep you safe, you've got real problems ahead.
Despite the Republican-led Congress, Britt says she is still reaching out to Democratic colleagues to push for the bill's passage.
"I, for one, am reaching out to individual senators," Britt said. "I've reached out to both of the senators from Georgia, asking them to come on board. Obviously, not only did Laken Riley being taken from us all too soon rock the nation, but certainly that was felt just so deeply in Georgia."
She continued, "In order for us to move forward and be able to get on this bill, we need to get on to 60 [votes]. That's obviously the difference in the House and Senate, so we're working towards that number, trying to have conversations, answer questions from my Democratic colleagues, and ask for their support. So, we're certainly going out and trying to build that bipartisan coalition that we believe this bill warrants, and we certainly believe that Laken and her legacy deserves."
U.S. Sen Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who cosponsors the bills, also spoke in support of the legislation from the Senate floor.
"No family should have to go through what the Riley family has endured over the last year," Tuberville said. "Because of Joe Biden's open borders, Laken's life was brutally ended by a criminal illegal alien. Joe Biden owes her family an apology for failing to do his basic job and secure the border. The American people delivered a message on November 5: they demand a President who will defend the Constitution and protect Americans from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now that Republicans control Congress and the White House, we must start delivering on our promises to ensure this never happens again. Legislation like the Laken Riley Act will help President Trump restore law and order and secure the border."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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