NE Wyoming News

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 29, known as the Laken Riley Act, in a move aimed at enhancing public safety. The bill is named after Laken Riley, a young woman whose life was ended by an illegal immigrant. The legislation addresses what its proponents describe as systemic failures in immigration policies that prioritize foreign criminals over American citizens.

Proponents of the bill argue that illegal immigrants who commit crimes pose a significant threat to national security. Official estimates suggest there are over 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, though some figures go as high as 25 million. Supporters of H.R. 29 cite Riley's murder by an illegal immigrant protected from deportation under current policies as evidence of the dangers posed by these individuals.

Representative Harriet Hageman expressed her support for the bill, stating: “My heart breaks for Laken Riley and her family, and when tragedies like this happen, it is our duty as lawmakers to act. The Biden Administration’s immigration policies have turned every state into a border state, jeopardizing the safety of communities across the nation." She added that "H.R. 29 will ensure that illegal aliens who commit crimes like theft are detained and deported."

The background to this legislative action involves Laken Riley's murder by an individual previously arrested for theft but released due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not issuing a detainer. This incident has been attributed to perceived leniency in enforcing immigration laws under current administration policies.

H.R. 29 aims to mandate detention and deportation for illegal immigrants committing crimes such as theft and allows states to file civil lawsuits against federal officials who do not enforce immigration laws or engage in actions harmful to American citizens.