WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act – a bill that would require ICE to take custody of illegal aliens who have been charged with theft-related crimes.
This bill is named after Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student who was brutally murdered by an illegal alien on the University of Georgia’s campus on February 22, 2024. Last year, Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) introduced this measure, which passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the Democrat-controlled Senate refused to vote on the bill last Congress.
The legislation would amend federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law.
Furthermore, it would allow state attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.
The bill directly addresses one of the federal policy failures related to Laken Riley’s murder. Her murderer, Jose Ibarra, is an illegal alien who had been previously cited for shoplifting by the Athens Police Department. If local law enforcement had called ICE, and ICE issued a detainer and picked him up, Laken would be alive. Ibarra was found guilty in November 2024 and has been sentenced to life without parole.
“I’m pleased to report that the Laken Riley Act passed out of the House of Representatives. This bill will protect our communities and give our law enforcement agencies the resources they need to prevent avoidable tragedies,” said Rep. Eli Crane. “It’s appalling that 159 Democrats sided with criminal aliens by voting against this commonsense measure. Despite their senseless opposition, I’m glad we were once again able to get this bill across the finish line. I appreciate Rep. Mike Collins for his leadership, and I look forward to its swift passage in the U.S. Senate before heading to President Trump’s desk.”