After months of resistance from the left, landmark legislation aimed at holding illegal immigrants accountable for criminal actions officially passed the U.S. Senate last night by a vote 64-35.
The Laken Riley Act, introduced and sponsored in the upper chamber by Alabama Senator Katie Britt, will require the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegals who have committed theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses in the United States. Additionally, it will ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.
“Today is a new day in America and a new day in the U.S. Senate with the passage of the Laken Riley Act—which will become the strongest immigration enforcement bill enacted into law since 1996,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “I was honored to lead a bipartisan group of my colleagues to pass this lifesaving legislation.”
Britt believes the act’s passage in the Senate pays proper tribute to the bill’s namesake, Laken Riley, a young Georgia woman killed by an illegal immigrant last year.
“Today’s monumental vote honors the beautiful life and enduring legacy of Laken Riley, who was taken from this world all too soon by a killer who never should have been in America in the first place. I am proud the Laken Riley Act will be the very first landmark bill President Trump signs into law, and it is proof that President Trump and the Republican Senate Majority stand ready to turn promises made into promises kept. Together, we will secure our southern border, protect American families and communities, and return to law and order.”
The very first thing the Senate did after President Trump’s inauguration is pass the Laken Riley Act. The momentum @realDonaldTrump built is the reason this is possible, and it will be the very first bill he signs into law. pic.twitter.com/s3TWg5iQk4
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 21, 2025
Allyson and John Phillips, Riley’s mother and stepfather, called it a “truly momentous day” following the bill’s passage.
“The Senate’s passage of this purely commonsense bill will help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. There is no greater gift imaginable to Laken and our country. We thank Senators Katie Britt and Ted Budd for their diligent, bipartisan work to get this bill through the Senate and Congressman Mike Collins for his continued leadership in championing the Laken Riley Act in the House.”
“Our family will forever be grateful for the prayers of people across our nation helping get this legislation into law. We pray Laken continues to do her good work here on earth and save lives. All glory to God.”
The Laken Riley Act now goes back to the House for a final vote. Should it pass in the lower chamber, it will likely become the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
