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

The circumstances surrounding Laken Riley’s death became a significant topic for Republicans during the 2024 presidential campaign, with President-elect Donald Trump frequently referencing the case to advocate for enhanced border security.

The Laken Riley Act was approved with a vote tally of 264-159, featuring the support of 48 House Democrats in addition to the Republican majority. The bill will be forwarded to the Senate, which, under Republican control, is set to discuss it this Friday.

All 52 Republican Senators, along with Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, support the legislation. However, Republicans require seven more Democratic votes to bypass a filibuster and commence debate on the Senate floor.

Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups have voiced concerns that the Laken Riley Act could endanger civil liberties and exacerbate issues of racial profiling. On the other hand, supporters argue that it will enhance safety in the U.S. and suggest that had it been enacted earlier, it might have prevented Laken’s death.

Overview of the Laken Riley Act

Drafted by Representative Mike Collins of Georgia, this proposed legislation mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented immigrants who are guilty of theft-related offenses, such as shoplifting.

As it stands, existing laws permit the deportation of undocumented individuals only if convicted of felonies, not for minor offenses like shoplifting.

Background on Laken Riley

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

During her run, prosecutors reported that Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, attacked her with intent to commit rape, striking her with a rock. He was apprehended the following day at a nearby apartment complex.

Ibarra, who illegally entered the U.S. in September 2022, was found guilty on multiple charges including murder, aggravated assault with intent to rape, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump and his Republican supporters utilized Riley’s case to criticize President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, fueling worries about crime linked to undocumented immigrants.

Reactions to the Bill

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) issued a statement on Tuesday, cautioning that the approval of the Laken Riley Act could infringe upon civil liberties.

“This marks the inaugural immigration bill of the new Congress, and if enacted, it will empower President-elect Trump to implement widespread deportations in our communities,” stated Sarah Mehta, ACLU’s senior border policy counsel. “It will necessitate the detention of individuals accused of nonviolent offenses such as shoplifting, regardless of whether law enforcement considers them a threat.”

The ACLU had also sent a letter to Congress the previous day urging a no vote on the legislation.

“Commencing the mandatory detention of long-term residents based solely on accusations, sometimes for years-old charges, creates a dangerous precedent,” the letter asserted.

Proponents of the legislation argue that had it been law earlier, Laken Riley may have survived.

“This bill addresses a major gap in federal policy concerning Laken Riley’s murder. Her killer, Jose Ibarra, was an undocumented immigrant previously cited for shoplifting by local police,” House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana remarked. “If local authorities had alerted ICE and a detainer was issued, Laken would still be alive today.”

Senate Democrats Show Growing Support

In the wake of the House’s approval of the bill, Senate Democrats are beginning to show increased support, enhancing its chances of making it to the President’s desk.

Freshman Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona publicly endorsed the act on Wednesday through social media.

“Arizonans are especially aware of the serious effects of the ongoing border crisis. We must empower law enforcement to act to prevent tragedies like the one that befell Laken Riley,” Gallego stated.

Several other Democrats have voiced their backing for the bill. Representatives from Sens. Mark Kelly (Arizona), Gary Peters (Michigan), and Dave McCormick (Pennsylvania) have confirmed their support to YSL News.

Sen. John Ossoff from Georgia stated to CNN that he would vote in favor of moving the bill forward in the Senate. Meanwhile, a representative for Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia mentioned that the senator is currently “reviewing the legislation.”

Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware expressed his support for advancing the Laken Riley Act but noted some reservations about the bill that he hopes will be resolved during a thorough amendment process, as per his spokesperson.