Representative Mike Collins (R-GA-10) has reintroduced the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress, a legislative measure aimed at bolstering law enforcement efforts to address crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
The bill, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House last year but stalled in the Senate, is a renewed priority for Collins and the Republican-led Congress.
The Laken Riley Act seeks to address gaps in the immigration and criminal justice systems that critics argue have allowed repeat offenders to escape federal custody.
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The legislation has two primary components:
- Mandatory ICE Detainers for Theft-Related Crimes:
The bill mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issue detainers and take custody of illegal immigrants who commit theft-related offenses, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local laws. - Legal Recourse for States:
State attorneys general would gain the authority to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if federal immigration actions, such as policy failures or detention violations, result in harm to the state or its citizens.
The legislation is named in memory of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia who was murdered on February 22, 2024, by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant with a prior record of shoplifting.
Despite his previous run-ins with the law, Ibarra was not detained by ICE due to gaps in federal policy.
“If local law enforcement had contacted ICE and they had issued a detainer, Laken would still be alive today,” Collins said. Ibarra was convicted of murder in November 2024 and sentenced to life without parole.
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“The Laken Riley Act gives our law enforcement the tools they need to protect their communities and ensure that no more innocent lives are lost to a broken immigration and criminal justice system,” said Collins. He expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects, stating, “If the Senate will do its job, President Trump will make it law.”
Collins noted that the Act is designed to enhance public safety by ensuring that federal and local law enforcement agencies work more effectively to detain and prosecute illegal immigrants who commit crimes.
The legislation highlights ongoing concerns about federal and local coordination on immigration enforcement and aims to prevent future tragedies like the one that claimed Riley’s life. Proponents argue it is a necessary step to restore accountability and prioritize the safety of American communities.
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