
The US House of Representatives has passed the Laken Riley Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing immigration detention policies, with a vote of 263-156. The legislation, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing school student who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant in 2022, is expected to be the first bill signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take custody and detain undocumented immigrants who are charged, arrested, or convicted of non-violent crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. This bill aims to address concerns about public safety and ensure that those who are in the country illegally are held accountable for their actions.
The legislation has received bipartisan support, with 46 Democrats joining all Republicans in voting in favor of the bill. The Senate passed the bill with a vote of 64-35, with 12 Democratic senators supporting it.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.), said that the passage of the Laken Riley Act is a “bittersweet” moment, as it honors the memory of Laken Riley while also working to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The Laken Riley Act is expected to be signed into law by President Trump, who has been a vocal advocate for stricter immigration policies. The bill’s passage comes as the 2024 presidential election heats up, with immigration reform being a major issue on the campaign trail.