House Passes Laken Riley Act

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act . H.R. 29 requires U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft offenses and mandates that these illegal aliens are detained until they are removed from the country. It also ensures states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law. Congressman Allen co-introduced the Laken Riley Act at the start of the 119th Congress following last year's tragic death of Laken Hope Riley at the hands of an illegal alien whose prior criminal record included shoplifting in Athens-Clarke County. After supporting the bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement: "It has been almost one year since we lost Laken Hope Riley, a beloved daughter, Augusta University nursing student, Georgian, and vibrant soul with her whole life ahead of her. While Laken's family and loved ones continue to mourn this heart-wrenching loss at the hands of a violent illegal alien, we know more must be done to prevent such tragedies from occurring. As our first legislative measure of the 119th Congress, today's bipartisan passage of H.R. 29 sends a clear message that the days of lawlessness and chaos at our southern border are over. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Laken Riley Act in short order."