Laken Riley Act Triumphantly Advances in U.S. House with Unprecedented Bipartisan Backing

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona’s Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives played a pivotal role in the passage of a border-related bill. The House recently approved H.R. 29, known as the Laken Riley Act, introduced by Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia. All Arizona Republicans supported the bill, along with Democratic Representative Greg Stanton, marking a rare instance of bipartisan agreement on immigration issues.

The act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security detain certain non-U.S. nationals arrested for crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Congressman Eli Crane expressed his support, emphasizing the bill’s potential to enhance community safety and provide law enforcement with vital resources. He criticized those who voted against it, stating, “It’s appalling that 159 Democrats sided with criminal aliens by voting against this commonsense measure.”

Crane’s statement referenced the tragic case of Laken Riley, whose murderer had previous encounters with the law for shoplifting. He argued that timely communication between local law enforcement and ICE could have prevented her death. Fellow Congressman Abraham Hamadeh echoed this sentiment, asserting that the focus should be on preventing crime by illegal immigrants before tragedies occur. He called for a united front on this issue.

Congressman Juan Ciscomani also highlighted his support for the bill, stating, “Securing the southern border and protecting our citizens is a top priority. I voted for & cosponsored H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, to honor her memory and ensure bad actors here illegally are detained.” The impetus behind the bill stems from the heartbreaking murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student, by an illegal immigrant who was later sentenced to life in prison.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it requires full Republican backing and at least seven Democratic votes for passage. Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat who co-sponsored the measure, acknowledged Laken Riley’s story as a tragic reminder of systemic failures. He asserted that while immigration enriches the nation, preventive measures are necessary to protect citizens from violent crimes.

Support for the Laken Riley Act was further bolstered by statements from her family. Allyson and John Phillips expressed their hope that the bill would save lives and honor Laken’s memory. They urged Congress to unify behind this legislation, viewing it as a fundamental step toward enhancing public safety.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.