Representative Mike Collins (R-GA-10) has reintroduced the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress. This legislative measure seeks to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to tackle crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
The bill, which received strong support from both Democrats and Republicans in the House last year but faced obstacles in the Senate, has once again become a key focus for Collins and the Republican-led Congress.
The Laken Riley Act aims to close the loopholes in the immigration and criminal justice systems that critics claim have enabled repeat offenders to evade federal detention.
The legislation consists of two main components:
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- 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.
- Mandatory ICE Detainers for Theft-Related Crimes:
The legislation honors the memory of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia. Laken was tragically murdered on February 22, 2024, by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant who had previously been convicted of shoplifting.
Ibarra, despite his previous encounters with the law, was not apprehended by ICE because of loopholes 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.
“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.”
According to Collins, the purpose of the Act is to improve public safety by promoting better collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies in apprehending and prosecuting criminal undocumented immigrants.
The legislation brings attention to the ongoing concerns regarding coordination between federal and local authorities in immigration enforcement. Its purpose is to prevent future tragedies, similar to the one that tragically took Riley’s life. Supporters argue that this legislation is crucial in restoring accountability and prioritizing the safety of American communities.