WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) alongside Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), led a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Laken Riley Act, legislation to provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state governments more tools to fight crime committed by illegal immigrants.

The bill, named in honor of nursing student Laken Riley who was killed by an illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia campus, would require ICE to arrest illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses and would mandate these offenders’ detention until they are removed from the United States so they cannot 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.

“The Biden administration’s open-border policies have had a devastating impact on too many American families,” said Boozman. “Laken Riley’s loved ones now face that reality daily, coping with her unimaginable loss. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation to safeguard our communities by requiring ICE to arrest illegal immigrants who have committed crimes can help spare future victims and uphold the rule of law.”

“Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth—from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams—by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake—he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes. Laken’s murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies,” said Britt. “The American people did not just deliver a mandate on November 5th, they delivered a verdict. They made it clear they want to remove criminal illegal aliens and protect American families. We will soon know whether Democrats hear, respect, and obey that verdict. Congress has an obligation to Laken, her family, and to families in every corner of our country to do everything in our power to help prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. That’s why it’s imperative we pass the commonsenseLaken Riley Act with all due haste. No other American family needs to feel the pain Laken’s family still feels 320 days after losing her.” 

“Laken Riley’s horrific murder at the hands of an illegal alien should have never happened,” said Thune. “There is an urgent need to take action regarding the border crisis to protect the American people, which is why this is the first bill the Senate will vote on this Congress. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue – it’s a matter of basic public safety and common sense, and the Senate has a responsibility to act.”

“What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. As we turn the page from the disastrous open-border policies of Joe Biden, the Laken Riley Act will empower the Trump administration to enforce our laws, keep our nation secure, and prevent tragedies. I thank Senator Britt for her partnership and her leadership in this bipartisan effort,” said Budd.

“It’s impossible to fully describe what was taken from Laken and from our family on February 22, 2024. Laken’s life was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise. She was a beautiful, shining beacon in the life of everyone who knew her. Not only did the people who knew and loved Laken lose a beautiful soul, but so did our world. Laken shared her love for Jesus with everyone she encountered. Laken's passion for sharing her faith through acts of kindness were felt by everyone she met. Laken was selfless, hardworking and made those around her feel special. Laken did not just talk about her faith, she led by example,” said Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather. “The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it would help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. Laken would have been 23 on January 10th. There is no greater gift that could be given to her and our country than to continue her legacy by saving lives through this bill. Every single member of Congress should be able to get behind this purely commonsense bill that will make our country and communities safer. We thank Congressman Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and Senator Ted Budd for continuing to work to honor Laken’s legacy and get this legislation enacted into law.”

The entire Senate Republican Conference along with Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) have cosponsored the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress.