House approves Laken Riley Act hours before State of the Union address
House lawmakers on Thursday passed the Laken Riley Act, a bill that would require migrants charged with theft or burglary to be detained by federal immigration authorities.
The bill cleared the lower chamber in a 251-170 vote, with the help of 37 Democrats who joined all Republicans in passing the measure hours before President Biden’s State of the Union address from the House rostrum.
All 170 “no” votes also came from Democratic lawmakers.
The bill is named after 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, whom authorities say was brutally murdered Feb. 22 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal migrant who had several run-ins with law enforcement in the weeks leading up to Riley’s killing.
The legislation calls on Biden, 81, to reinstate the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy that forced asylum-seekers to wait for their immigration hearings south of the border; amends federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of migrants who enter the country illegally and commit theft-related crimes; and allows state attorneys general to sue the secretary of Homeland Security if immigration actions — such as parole — harm a state or its citizens.
During the debate on the bill, author Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) urged his colleagues to support it and to continue fighting against the lawlessness created by President Biden’s border policies.
“While we can’t bring Laken back, we must now turn our focus to doing everything we can to prevent this from happening to another American,” Collins said.
“The Laken Riley Act is a key piece in our fight to restore the rule of law and get criminal illegal aliens off our streets,” he added.
“Today we act on behalf of those who are no longer with us because of Joe Biden’s policies,” the Georgia Republican went on, concluding: “Let’s ensure justice for Laken Riley.”
Ibarra, 26, entered the US illegally at El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 8, 2022, alongside his wife and her son, and was released “for further processing,” according to ICE.
He was charged with a felony in New York this past August after allegedly allowing his 5-year-old stepson to ride with him on a scooter without a safety helmet or required child restraints, according to police, but skirted deportation.
Ibarra had another run-in with law enforcement in October after being accused of shoplifting in Athens, Ga., according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and a warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to show up for his court date.
The Venezuelan national was arrested last month and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, obstructing an emergency call and concealing the death of another in connection to Riley’s killing.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called it “shocking” that all five Democratic members of the Peach State’s congressional delegation voted against the bill.
“This is something that will be made known across the entire state. What an absolute disgrace,” she wrote on X. “Democrats standing lockstep with Joe Biden and his open border policies have blood on their hands.”
Some Republican lawmakers have called on Biden, 81, to bring attention to Riley’s murder during his State of the Union address.
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“Earlier this week I sent a letter to Joe Biden urging him to say Laken Riley’s name during the State of the Union address,” Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote on X.
“The Biden White House has refused to commit to acknowledging her,” he added. “I hope Biden does the right thing tonight, but I won’t hold my breath.”
Riley’s parents declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union offered by Collins, who said he will leave the seat “vacant to honor Laken and all American victims of illegal alien crime.”
The migrant crisis and border security are major issues for voters ahead of the November election.
A recent Gallup survey found that 28% of Americans believe immigration is “the most important problem” facing the country, a higher percentage than those who said the economy and inflation were top concerns.
