Members of the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act by a vote of 64-35 on Monday.
The legislation is the most significant immigration enforcement and border security bill to pass the Senate in nearly three decades. The bill will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week before being signed into law by President Donald Trump.
“Today is a new day in America and a new day in the U.S. Senate with the passage of the Laken Riley Act—which will become the strongest immigration enforcement bill enacted into law since 1996. I was honored to lead a bipartisan group of my colleagues to pass this lifesaving legislation,” U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) said.
The Senate voted to include two amendments to strengthen the Laken Riley Act.
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. Sarah’s Law, which requires the detention of illegal aliens who commit a crime that results in death or serious bodily injury, was adopted by a vote of 75-24.
“Today’s monumental vote honors the beautiful life and enduring legacy of Laken Riley, who was taken from this world all too soon by a killer who never should have been in America in the first place,” Britt said. “I am proud the Laken Riley Act will be the very first landmark bill President Trump signs into law, and it is proof that President Trump and the Republican Senate Majority stand ready to come turn promises made into promises kept. Together, we will secure our southern border, protect American families and communities, and return to law and order.”
The entire Republican conference and U.S. Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), reintroduced the Laken Riley Act in the 119th Congress.
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.
“This is a truly momentous day. The Senate’s passage of this purely commonsense bill will help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. There is no greater gift imaginable to Laken and our country. We thank Senators Katie Britt and Ted Budd for their diligent, bipartisan work to get this bill through the Senate and Congressman Mike Collins for his continued leadership championing the Laken Riley Act in the House. Our family will forever be grateful for the prayers of people across our nation helping get this legislation into law. We pray Laken continues to do her good work here on earth and save lives. All glory to God,” Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather, said.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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