Congress passed the Laken Riley Act Tuesday 264 votes to 159.
🚨 #BREAKING: The US House has just PASSED the Laken Riley Act, which would force detention for illegal immigrants arrested for shoplifting and other crimes
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 7, 2025
HUGE step in the right direction! 🔥
But 159 Democrats voted against it.
WHY? pic.twitter.com/vJd7OzuAIp
This comes after a long struggle against illegal immigration throughout the Biden administration which saw crimes, like the violent murder of college student Laken Riley become national news.
The H.R.29-Laken Riley Act was designed, “To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes.”
According to the New York Post, Riley’s killer had been detained after illegally crossing the southern border in 2022 but was released and sent to New York. He then faced legal consequences for shoplifting and child endangerment before being released and killing Riley for fighting back when he attempted to rape her.
Founder and CEO of the conservative college movement Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk celebrated the passage of the bill but also condemned the congressional leaders who opposed it.
He stated on X, “Congratulations to the 264 members of the House who passed the Laken Riley Act today, and SHAME ON the 159 Democrats who voted against it.”
Congratulations to the 264 members of the House who passed the Laken Riley Act today, and SHAME ON the 159 Democrats who voted against it.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 7, 2025
Laken Riley's death was 100% preventable and she should be alive today.
God bless her family and may God bless her memory. pic.twitter.com/LZK7alSzU0
“Laken Riley’s death was 100% preventable and she should be alive today. God bless her family and may God bless her memory.”
Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burlison posted about the bill’s future, noting, “I was glad to see the Laken Riley Act pass the House today. It is my hope the Senate passes it and President Trump signs it into law once he’s in the White House.”
I was glad to see the Laken Riley Act pass the House today.
— Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) January 7, 2025
It is my hope the Senate passes it and President Trump signs it into law once he's in the White House.
The Democrats' open border policies have destroyed our country. Republicans will make America safe again! pic.twitter.com/Y9oZ5abMTm
Burlison added, “The Democrats’ open border policies have destroyed our country. Republicans will make America safe again!”
