Panhandle Times

Congressman Nathaniel Moran has expressed approval following the House's passage of the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement and border security. The legislation is now set to be signed into law by President Donald Trump, marking his first legislative action as the 47th President.

"The final version of the Laken Riley Act contains critical provisions to further strengthen our nation’s immigration enforcement and border security," stated Congressman Moran. He emphasized the importance of this legislation in reinforcing efforts to address illegal immigration and secure national borders.

The act is named after Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student who was murdered by an undocumented immigrant previously cited for theft. The bill mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented individuals who commit specific crimes such as theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting to prevent further offenses. Additionally, it allows states to pursue civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

The Senate introduced amendments to the bill before its final passage. Senator John Cornyn added an amendment expanding the list of criminal offenses covered by the bill to include assault on law enforcement officers. Another amendment from Senator Joni Ernst, known as Sarah’s Law, requires detention for undocumented individuals committing crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.