Get a free copy of Parental Rights & Education when you subscribe to our newsletter!
The bill, named after a young woman who was murdered by an illegal immigrant, gives ICE the authority needed to arrest, detain, and deport illegal immigrants who steal and commit violent crimes.
The House of Representatives voted 263-156 earlier today to pass the Senate’s amended version of the proposed Laken Riley Act. It will now go to the desk of President Donald Trump, who is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.
This “very beautiful bill,” as described by President Trump, is the first one to pass the new GOP-controlled Congress.
The original bill required U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to arrest, detain, and deport illegal aliens for the crimes of “theft, burglary, larceny, and shoplifting.”
After initially passing the House on January 7, the bill went to the Senate, but it was amended twice to also cover assaults on law enforcement and any act that causes a person’s death or bodily harm as offenses that trigger mandatory detention. The bill also ensures that states have the legal standing to file civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce or who violate immigration laws.
The Senate passed that version of the bill this past Monday night in a 64-35 vote.
“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,” Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said in a statement.
Although the large majority of congressional Democrats opposed the bill, a dozen Democratic senators crossed party lines get the bill over the finish line: Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Jon Ossoff (Ga.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), and Mark Warner (Va.).
“The bipartisan support for this measure is welcome and sends a clear signal that our country will no longer tolerate the consequences of lawless, open-border policies. I encourage our colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve and send this bill to President Trump’s desk quickly,” Boozman added.
The legislation is named in honor of nursing student Laken Riley, who was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant on the University of Georgia campus in Athens in February 2024.
Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela, was later arrested, charged, and convicted on 10 counts, including felony murder. Although he initially pleaded not guilty, he was ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November.
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., who introduced the Laken Riley Act, called the bill’s passage “bittersweet,” considering that it took Laken Riley’s death to pass the public safety measure.
“For a young lady that wanted to dedicate her career and her life to saving lives, now her name will live on forever, and it will save lives,” he said.
Republicans first introduced the legislation in the House in March of last year. The initial bill passed 251-170. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, was among the nearly three dozen GOP senators who introduced the original Senate version of the bill.
“Laken Riley’s life was robbed by an illegal immigrant, and repeat criminal offender, who the Biden administration allowed to slip through the cracks,” Grassley said in a press release. “The Laken Riley Act would ensure criminals who have illegally entered our country receive due justice and would help keep communities safe. We must act now to ensure this terrible tragedy never happens again.”
Trump also spoke out about the brutal murder of the Riley after talking with her mother by phone in February.
“A beautiful 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia was barbarically attacked. She was on a morning run… she was a beautiful young woman,” he said. “I spoke to her parents yesterday. They are incredible people. They are devastated beyond belief. She was so beautiful in so many ways.”
He added, “The monster charged in the death is an illegal alien migrant who was let into our country and released into our communities” by the Biden administration.
Passage of the Laken Riley Act has caused a fissure within the Democratic Party. Many Democratic lawmakers who opposed the “anti-immigrant” bill fumed over their colleagues’ cooperation with Republicans. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., says the bill is a violation of due process rights, while a U.S. senator, who requested anonymity in an interview with The Hill, characterized the bill as a “sweeping assault on core principles.”
President Trump is expected the sign the bill into law within the week.
Border security has long been a contentious debate in our nation, serving as a chief topic during the 2024 presidential election. The majority of Americans desire a safe country, though questions remain regarding what is necessary to achieve this goal.
On Trump’s first day of his new term in office, he signed numerous executive orders, including one related to the border crisis declaring a “national invasion.” The move allows the use of military action and other legal options to stop illegal immigration at the border.
The Bible advocates for at least two important areas related to the Laken Riley Act. First, Scripture supports obedience to governing authorities and the expectation of punishment for failing to do so.
Romans 13:4-5, NIV, states,
“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.”
With the Laken Riley Act, punishments will be increased for violent migrant criminals to advance public safety.
A second issue relates to biblical teachings concerning immigrants. Some argue that Christians should embrace illegal migrants in our country, showing God’s love and seeking to provide for practical needs.
Followers of Christ are certainly called to care for refugees and others in need, as illustrated in the account of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). However, these actions do not remove the need to enforce immigration laws.
Believers are called to obey the laws of their society and should expect the same from immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. Legal immigration options exist and can be pursued, but those who fail to follow American laws should expect punishment.
Most illegal immigrants are not violent criminals, but migrants who commit murder and other brutal actions should face justice, including arrest and deportation. The majority of Americans, Christians and otherwise, support this commonsense response that protects citizens and seeks to prevent future acts of violence.
If you like this article and other content that helps you apply a biblical worldview to today’s politics and culture, consider making a donation here.
