Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) released a statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act. He and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) led the introduction of the bill on January 7, 2025.
The bill is named after 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley who was murdered by an illegal alien on the University of Georgia campus last year. That illegal alien had been previously arrested for theft and shoplifting but was released.
The bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and would mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States.
The bill was led in the House by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA).
Sen. Budd said in a statement:
“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.
Senator Britt said:
“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.
“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.”
Laken Riley’s mother Allyson and stepfather John Phillips said in a statement:
“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.”
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