The Laken Riley Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday and is slated to be President Donald Trump's first bill signed into law in his new administration.
The House passed the Act Wednesday afternoon, with every member of Alabama’s federal delegation voting in favor.
The bill, named after a Georgia student tragically murdered by an illegal alien last year, would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. The legislation also would mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States so they cannot re-offend and commit further crimes. States would have standing under the bill to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
“With the House passage of the Laken Riley Act today, this landmark bill now heads to President Trump’s desk to not only be signed into law but to be the first law he signs as the 47th President,” Britt said. “The American people spoke loud and clear in November demanding change—demanding border security and keeping American families safe. Senate Republicans listened. House Republicans, with the leadership of Congressman Mike Collins, listened, and, today, Congress turned promises made into promises kept. Working alongside President Trump, our Republican majorities are going to continue fighting to make America safe again and secure our border.”
Last week, the Senate amended the bill to add additional protections and provisions.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s (R-Texas) amendment expanded the list of criminal offenses in the bill to include assault of a law enforcement officer. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) legislation, Sarah’s Law, was also adopted as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention of illegal aliens who commit a crime that results in death or serious bodily injury.
U.S. Rep Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) applauded the bill after it passed the House, praising it for protecting American families.
"Biden's dangerous open-border policies left many American families like Laken Riley's with heart-wrenching empty seats at their kitchen tables," Moore said. "Today, we sent legislation that protects families and prevents illegals who are charged with burglary from committing further crimes to President Trump's desk in an effort to prevent more tragedies. I thank my colleague Senator Britt for her leadership on this important issue."
Britt tried to pass the same legislation during the last Congress. However, with the Democratic party holding the Senate majority then, the bill never received serious deliberation from leadership.
“With President Donald Trump back in office and with our majorities ready to work with him, we are headed towards creating a safer, more secure, incredible country, and the Laken Riley Act is no doubt a step in that direction,” Britt said from the Senate floor. “Now is the time to turn the page from the past four years. To think about what we can do together to turn the will of the American people into action. To do the things a government is meant to do: provide security for its people, ensure its streets are safe, and enforce the rule of law.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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