After the tragic death of student Laken Riley, Republicans passed a bill in her honor that would crack down on illegal immigrants who break the law.
The Laken Riley Act, which passed 251 to 170, requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain migrants charged with theft and other crimes. It is notable that 37 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure.
The bill is named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was recently found dead and disfigured on campus.
Her alleged killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan living illegally in the country. Ibarra was arrested in New York for child endangerment and charged in Georgia with shoplifting, but was not arrested by ICE immediately before Riley’s murder.
The bill came just hours before President Biden was scheduled to arrive at the Capitol for his State of the Union address. He is expected to blame Republicans for not voting on a $118 billion Senate-led bill to secure the border during their remarks.
Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., urged President Biden to mention Laken Riley during his speech tonight.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested for the murder of Laken Riley and appeared in court on February 24 when he was formally charged with the young woman’s murder
Officials confirmed that Ibarra is not a U.S. citizen and did not know or have any relationship with Riley
It is notable that 37 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure
Riley “was murdered by an illegal alien who should never have entered our country,” she said on the floor earlier Thursday.
“Biden is neglecting the safety of American citizens. At SOTU tonight he should say her name,” Miller continued.
The White House finally broke its silence on the days Riley died after she was killed, sparking national outrage.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,” a White House official said in a statement to DailyMail.com late last month.
“People must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty. Since this is an active case, we should refer you to state law enforcement and ICE,” the White House official said.
The statement notably omitted any mention of illegal Venezuelan immigrant Ibarra.
Ibarra has been charged with shoplifting and child endangerment since arriving in the US in 2022.
The bill would also allow individual states to sue the federal government if they or its citizens are harmed by immigration-related actions.
The new legislation from Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., would have required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest Ibarra after his first offense and before he could have a chance to attack Riley.
Collins represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, which includes the community where Riley was killed.
The bill would “require the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain aliens charged in the United States with theft and for other purposes,” according to a copy of the bill. account obtained by DailyMail.com states.
Just five months ago, Ibarra was arrested and charged with “acting in a manner likely to injure a child under 17 years of age and a motorcycle license violation,” according to ICE.
Ibarra, who had worked for food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, was caught riding his wife’s son on the back of a gasoline-powered moped without a helmet or restraint for the child in New York City.
The NYPD released him “before any detainee could be released,” the agency said.
New York City is also a “sanctuary city,” which typically limits law enforcement agencies from dealing with ICE detainees.
Rep. Mike Collins, who represents Athens, Georgia, in Congress, wrote the Laken Riley Act
Jose Ibarra came to the US with his brother Diego in 2022, ICE confirmed
In 2022, Ibarra was charged with shoplifting at a Walmart in Athens, Georgia.
However, he was allowed to stay in the country.
The Laken Riley Act would have required Ibarra to be detained following his shoplifting charge.
The bill also includes language condemning the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Congress notes that the nation – mourns the devastating loss of Laken Riley and other victims of the Biden Administration’s overt policies; honors the life and memory of Laken Riley and other victims of the Biden administration’s open borders policy.”
