WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Jim Justice released a statement following his vote to pass the Laken Riley Act:
“Recently, my wife Cathy told me with all the sadness and frustration surrounding what happened to Laken, this small piece of legislation both honors her and family and protects our citizens from something like this happening again. The Laken Riley Act is bipartisan, streamlined, and will make America safe: plain and simple. This bill won’t bring Laken back, but it will honor her memory and protect Americans across the country,” said Senator Jim Justice.
BACKGROUND:
- The Laken Riley Act would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest, detain and deport illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting. Further, the legislation would ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce, or violate, immigration law.
- The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant and repeat criminal offender who had previously been detained and released.
- On Friday, January 17, Senator Jim Justice voted to invoke cloture on the Laken Riley Act. The legislation has 53 cosponsors.