The Republican-led House passed its first major bill, Laken Riley Act, of the new Congress on Tuesday—a strict border security measure named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia whose murder by an illegal immigrant became a central issue in the 2024 presidential campaign.
The Laken Riley Act was approved by a 264-159 vote, applying pressure on Senate Democrats as Republicans, who now control the upper chamber, plan to bring it to a vote this Friday—what would have been Riley’s 23rd birthday.
All 52 Senate Republicans, along with Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, have co-sponsored the legislation. However, Republicans will need support from seven additional Democrats to achieve the 60-vote threshold required to bypass a filibuster.
“We welcome any Democrat who wants to help us solve these problems,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) before the vote. “The American people demand and deserve action—it’s long overdue.”
The background
In November, 26-year-old Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, was convicted of kidnapping, assaulting, and murdering Riley while she was jogging near the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Ibarra, who had prior run-ins with law enforcement for shoplifting, was not detained due to a lack of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Former President Donald Trump highlighted Riley’s case during campaign events in Georgia, blaming President Joe Biden’s immigration policies for the tragedy.
Authored by Representative Mike Collins (R-Ga.), the Laken Riley Act seeks to amend federal law to mandate that ICE detain and take custody of undocumented immigrants who commit theft-related crimes, including shoplifting.
“We’re going to detain and deport illegal aliens who commit crimes like burglary, larceny, and shoplifting, not to mention violent offenses,” Johnson stated. “It’s hard to believe anyone would oppose that.”
The House had previously passed the bill in March with a 251-170 vote, including 37 Democrats, many from swing districts or those pursuing statewide office. Among them were Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, both of whom were later elected to the Senate. However, the Senate, then controlled by Democrats, did not take up the measure.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) emphasized the mounting pressure on Senate Democrats, especially the two moderates from Georgia, to support the bill.
“This is now a bipartisan bill with Fetterman signing on,” Barrasso said. “And given that this tragedy occurred in Georgia, the state’s senators will face significant scrutiny. It’s fitting that the vote coincides with Laken Riley’s birthday.”
The Senate vote on Friday will test bipartisan resolve and the extent to which Democrats are willing to align with Republicans on stricter immigration enforcement.