Pulaski Times

U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton have expressed approval following the Senate's passage of the Laken Riley Act, which was passed with a bipartisan vote of 64-35. The legislation aims to provide U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state governments with enhanced tools to combat crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

"This commonsense legislation will help safeguard our communities and prevent other families from becoming future victims of the unimaginable tragedy experienced by Laken Riley’s loved ones," Boozman stated. He emphasized the importance of bipartisan support for the measure, noting that it signals a rejection of "lawless, open-border policies." Boozman urged the House of Representatives to pass the bill swiftly so it can be sent to President Trump.

Cotton criticized previous Democratic policies on immigration, stating, "For four years, Democrats opened our borders and allowed in millions of illegal aliens, including the criminal who viciously murdered Laken Riley." He highlighted that Americans elected Republicans for safety measures and called the act "a welcome and crucial first step for delivering on our promise to make America safe again."

The legislation is named after nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed by an illegal immigrant at the University of Georgia campus in February 2024. The bill mandates ICE to arrest illegal immigrants involved in specific crimes such as theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses, or those accused of assaulting law enforcement officers or committing any crime resulting in death or serious injury. It requires these offenders' detention until they are deported from the United States. Additionally, it allows states to initiate civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

Having been amended by the Senate, the bill now returns to the U.S. House of Representatives for further consideration.