North Charlotte Today

Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues have introduced the Laken Riley Act in the Senate, a piece of legislation aimed at addressing issues related to illegal immigrants who commit specific offenses. The act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal immigrants involved in theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and ensure that these individuals are detained until they are removed from the United States. Additionally, the bill grants state attorneys general the authority to take legal action against the Secretary of Homeland Security for immigration-related decisions that negatively impact their states or citizens.

The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, who tragically lost her life in a murder committed by an illegal immigrant on campus. Senator Tillis emphasized the preventable nature of Laken Riley's murder, attributing it to what he described as President Biden's "disastrous open border policies." He underscored the importance of preventing such incidents and stated, "No family should ever have to experience the senseless murder of a child because President Biden refuses to secure the border and enforce our laws."

The House of Representatives recently passed the Laken Riley Act in a bipartisan vote of 251-70, with 37 Democrats supporting the bill. This bipartisan support highlights the significance of addressing issues related to criminal illegal immigrants and the importance of enhancing border security measures.

The full text of the Laken Riley Act can be accessed for further review and examination.

This legislative initiative reflects ongoing efforts to address concerns surrounding illegal immigration and criminal activities, particularly in cases where individuals have been previously involved in offenses such as theft and shoplifting.