Grassley and Colleagues Reintroduce Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON– Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and the entire Senate Republican Conference in reintroducing legislation to fight crime stemming from illegal immigration. Companion legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 264-159.
TheLaken Riley Actwould require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest, detain and deport illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting. Further, the legislation would ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce, or violate, immigration law.
The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant and repeat criminal offender who had previously been detained and released.
“Laken Riley’s life was tragically robbed by an illegal immigrant and repeat offender who entered the country through the Biden administration’s open border,”Grassley said. “TheLaken Riley Actwould ensure criminals who entered our country illegally are held accountable, while also protecting our communities. The Senate must act now to prevent future tragedies.”
“Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth – from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams – by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake – he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes. Laken’s murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies,”Britt said.
“What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. As we turn the page from the disastrous open-border policies of Joe Biden, theLaken Riley Actwill empower the Trump administration to enforce our laws, keep our nation secure and prevent tragedies. I thank Senator Britt for her partnership and her leadership in this bipartisan effort,”Budd said.
Find bill textHERE.
Background:
Grassley and Senate Republicansfirst introducedtheLaken Riley Actin March 2024. The House of Representatives passed the original version by a vote of 251-170, but Senate Democrats in the 118thCongress refused to bring the bill up for a floor vote.
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