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U.S. Senators Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Ted Budd’s, R-N.C., S.5, the Laken Riley Act, Monday passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 64-35. The passage of this legislation is the most significant immigration enforcement and border security related bill to pass the Senate in nearly three decades. The bill will be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week before heading to President Trump to be signed into law.
“Today is a new day in America and a new day in the U.S. Senate with the passage of the Laken Riley Act—which will become the strongest immigration enforcement bill enacted into law since 1996. I was honored to lead a bipartisan group of my colleagues to pass this lifesaving legislation,” said Senator Britt.
The Senate recently voted on a strong bipartisan basis to include two amendments to strengthen the Laken Riley Act. Senator John Cornyn’s, R-Texas, amendment expanded the list of criminal offenses in the bill to include assault of a law enforcement officer, being adopted by a vote of 70-25 last week. Senator Joni Ernst’s, R-Iowa, legislation, Sarah’s Law, was also adopted as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act. Sarah’s Law, which requires the detention of illegal aliens who commit a crime that results in death or serious bodily injury, was adopted by a vote of 75-24.
“Today’s monumental vote honors the beautiful life and enduring legacy of Laken Riley, who was taken from this world all too soon by a killer who never should have been in America in the first place,” continued Senator Britt. “I am proud the Laken Riley Act will be the very first landmark bill President Trump signs into law, and it is proof that President Trump and the Republican Senate Majority stand ready to come turn promises made into promises kept. Together, we will secure our southern border, protect American families and communities, and return to law and order.”
“This is a truly momentous day. The Senate’s passage of this purely commonsense bill will help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. There is no greater gift imaginable to Laken and our country. We thank Senators Katie Britt and Ted Budd for their diligent, bipartisan work to get this bill through the Senate and Congressman Mike Collins for his continued leadership championing the Laken Riley Act in the House. Our family will forever be grateful for the prayers of people across our nation helping get this legislation into law. We pray Laken continues to do her good work here on earth and save lives. All glory to God,” said Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather.
The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses so they cannot reoffend and commit further crimes. This legislation would also ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
“Passage of the Laken Riley Act is a victory for law and order and safety. What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. I am proud to have led this legislation with Senators Britt, Fetterman, and Majority Leader Thune and look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” said Senator Budd.
Senators Britt and Budd, with the entire Republican conference and Senators John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., reintroduced the Laken Riley Act in the 119th Congress.
