Jefferson Reporter

Montgomery, Ala., November 4, 2024 – As the trial for Laken Riley’s accused killer begins in Georgia, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has reiterated her call for the passage of the bipartisan Laken Riley Act.

Senator Britt stated, “As America watches this trial unfold, I am once again calling on Senate Democrats to pass the bipartisan Laken Riley Act. Laken’s death was preventable, but President Biden and Vice President Harris chose mass migration over the safety and security of the American people.”

She further expressed concern about current policies: “Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have enabled their dangerous open-border policies and blocked our efforts to pass the Laken Riley Act. There is no responsibility more important than keeping the American people safe, and I remain committed to passing this bill named in Laken’s honor to ensure more families are spared this type of unthinkable tragedy.”

The proposed legislation was introduced earlier this year by Senators Britt and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) as S.3933. It serves as a companion to H.R. 7511, known as Representative Mike Collins’ (R-Ga.) Laken Riley Act. The House passed it with a significant bipartisan vote of 251-170.

This act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft-related offenses and mandate their detention until removal from the United States. The aim is to prevent reoffending and further crimes.

Moreover, the legislation would allow states to bring civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce or violate immigration laws. Despite these provisions, Senate Democrats have twice blocked its passage.