This Tuesday, the newly Republican-led House of Representatives passed its first piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act. This bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia who was tragically killed by a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the country illegally.

Riley’s murder became a significant talking point for Republicans during the 2024 presidential race, with President-elect Donald Trump frequently referencing it to advocate for stronger border security.

The Laken Riley Act passed with a vote of 264-159, receiving support from 48 Democrats alongside the Republican majority. It will now proceed to the Senate, which is scheduled to discuss it on Friday.

All 52 Senate Republicans and Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania are co-sponsoring the bill. However, to overcome a filibuster and start discussions in the Senate, Republicans need the backing of seven additional Democrats.

Organizations advocating for civil and immigrant rights argue that this bill could harm civil liberties and lead to more racial profiling. Proponents contend that the legislation will enhance safety in the U.S. and suggest that had it been enacted in 2024, it could have prevented the tragedy that befell Riley.

Understanding the Laken Riley Act

Drafted by Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, this legislation would mandate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented immigrants who are accused of crimes related to theft, such as shoplifting.

Under current laws, individuals in the U.S. without legal status may face deportation if convicted of felonies, but not for minor offenses like shoplifting.

Who was Laken Riley?

Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University in Athens. On the morning of February 22, 2024, she took a run on the University of Georgia campus.

According to prosecutors, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra attacked Riley with a rock, intending to rape her. He was apprehended the following day in a nearby apartment complex.

Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022 and was found guilty of multiple charges, including murder, attempted rape, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

During his presidential campaign, Trump and his fellow Republicans used this case to criticize President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, fueling concerns about crime involving undocumented immigrants.

Reactions from critics and supporters of the bill

On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union expressed concerns that the bill’s passage might infringe upon civil liberties.

“This is the inaugural immigration legislation of the new Congress. If enacted, it will empower President-elect Trump to conduct mass deportations,” stated Sarah Mehta, ACLU’s senior border policy counsel. “The bill would mandate the detention of individuals accused of nonviolent petty thefts, regardless of local law enforcement’s assessment of their threat level.”

The ACLU had previously sent a letter to lawmakers urging them to oppose the bill.

“This sets a dangerous precedent, starting with mandatory detention of long-standing residents merely accused—sometimes without formal charges—of crimes that may date back years,” the letter warned.

Supporters argue that if the bill had already been law in 2024, Laken Riley might have survived.

“The legislation addresses a glaring lapse in federal policy linked to Riley’s murder. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, was an undocumented individual previously flagged for shoplifting by local police,” stated House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana. “Had local law enforcement contacted ICE and initiated action, Laken could still be with us today.”

Support from Senate Democrats grows

After the House’s passage of the bill, several Senate Democrats have started to express their approval for the legislation, raising the chances of it being signed into law.

Newly elected Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona voiced his support for the act on social media on Wednesday.

<p“Those in Arizona understand the real impact of the current border crisis better than anyone. We need to empower law enforcement to avert tragedies similar to what happened to Laken Riley,” Gallego shared.

Several Democrats have shown their backing for the legislation, with representatives for Senators Mark Kelly (Arizona), Gary Peters (Michigan), and Dave McCormick (Pennsylvania) confirming their support to YSL News.

Senator John Ossoff from Georgia stated to CNN that he would support advancing the bill’s debate in the Senate. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia mentioned that he is still “considering the legislation.”

Senator Chris Coons of Delaware expressed his willingness to move forward with the Laken Riley Act, but he raised concerns he would like to see addressed during a thorough amendment process, according to a spokesperson.