Owens Praises Passage of the Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON — Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT), an original co-sponsor of the Laken Riley Act, praised the bipartisan 263-156 House vote to advance the Senate version of the bill, which now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. 

“Laken Riley should be alive today,” said Rep. Owens. “Her murder is a heartbreaking and senseless tragedy that demands immediate action so that no family has to endure this nightmare. Since January 2021, over eleven million illegal immigrants have crossed our border—over three times the population of Utah. Thankfully, President Trump is keeping his promise to secure our border, protect our communities, and restore law and order. The House and Senate are working hand in hand with his administration, passing the Laken Riley Act to provide ICE with the necessary tools to detain and deport dangerous illegal immigrants responsible for serious and violent crimes against innocent Americans.”

Background:

• The Laken Riley Act, led by Congressman Mike Collins (R-GA), requires ICE to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting as defined by the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Additionally, it allows the Attorney General of a State to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if certain immigration actions (parole, discontinuing visas, violation of the detention requirements, etc.) harm that state or its citizens.
• The Senate Companion of the Laken Riley Act, led by Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), expands the scope of crimes that allow police to detain illegal aliens beyond theft-related offenses, providing additional tools for law enforcement to address public safety concerns related to criminal migrants.

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