Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, has proposed a bill that mandates the detention by ICE of undocumented immigrants accused of local theft or burglary offenses. This move follows the unfortunate death of Laken Hope Riley, an American college student at the hands of an undocumented immigrant who, despite prior arrest, was not held by ICE.
Titled the Laken Riley Act, this legislation honors the memory of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically killed on the University of Georgia campus. The suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan undocumented immigrant, had a criminal background before the murder. His previous encounters with the law include an arrest in New York for child endangerment and a citation in Georgia for misdemeanor shoplifting, an incident involving his brother.
Rep. Collins, who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, where the fatal attack occurred, sees this as a wake-up call for America. He believes that the ongoing border crisis has led to a “crime wave” and calls for action to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The Laken Riley Act aims to tackle the problem by mandating that ICE issue a detainer for undocumented immigrants charged or cited for local theft or burglary offenses. At present, detainers are already compulsory for more severe crimes. Furthermore, the bill grants states the authority to take legal action against the federal government if an immigration-related decision adversely affects the state or its residents.
In a press release, Rep. Collins emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need to prevent further tragedies like the one that claimed Laken Riley’s life. He hopes the bill will receive support and the House will vote on it soon.
Meanwhile, Collins has been leading the Georgia congressional delegation in honoring Riley with a moment of silence and has committed to work towards preventing similar occurrences.
The introduction of the Laken Riley Act highlights the need for stronger immigration policies and border security. It is an effort to protect American citizens and ensure that individuals who threaten public safety are appropriately detained. The tragic loss of Laken Riley’s life serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing these issues and taking action to prevent further harm.
