Representative Yassamin Ansari split from the rest of the Arizona Congressional delegation on Tuesday, voting against the Laken Riley Act.
The Laken Riley Act, named after a University of Georgia nursing student murdered in February 2024 by Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra, passed on a bipartisan 264-159 vote.
Representative Raul Grijalva, who is battling cancer, did not vote.
“The murder of Laken Riley was horrific tragedy. But the anti-immigrant bill being pushed by House Republicans will do nothing to prevent this kind of violence or reform our broken immigration system. Instead, it serves as a license to discriminate against immigrant communities, including DREAMers,” stated Ansari in a tweet. “Under this legislation, someone charged – just charged, not found guilty – could be immediately deported. This is a gross miscarriage of justice, and I voted no.”
The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), requires ICE to take custody of illegal aliens who have been charged with theft-related crimes.
Last year, Collins introduced the measure, which passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support, but the Democrat-controlled Senate refused to consider it.
The legislation would amend federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law.
Furthermore, it would allow state attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.
The bill directly addresses one of the federal policy failures related to Laken Riley’s murder. Her murderer, Jose Ibarra, is an illegal alien who had been previously cited for shoplifting by the Athens Police Department. If local law enforcement had called ICE, and ICE issued a detainer and picked him up, Laken would be alive. Ibarra was found guilty in November 2024 and has been sentenced to life without parole.
“While we cannot possibly remediate the pain caused at the hands of violent illegal immigrants, we must do all we are able to do to stop illegal immigrant crime before it begins and save future American lives,” stated Representative Abe Hamadeh. “This should be a unanimous and non-partisan issue. I’m grateful for my colleagues who see this as such.”
Thinking of Laken Riley’s family and all of those who have been affected by the crimes of illegal immigrants. pic.twitter.com/AxSQGdlCmh
— Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) January 7, 2025
“I’m pleased to report that the Laken Riley Act passed out of the House of Representatives. This bill will protect our communities and give our law enforcement agencies the resources they need to prevent avoidable tragedies,” said Rep. Eli Crane. “It’s appalling that 159 Democrats sided with criminal aliens by voting against this commonsense measure. Despite their senseless opposition, I’m glad we were once again able to get this bill across the finish line. I appreciate Rep. Mike Collins for his leadership, and I look forward to its swift passage in the U.S. Senate before heading to President Trump’s desk.”
Americans have had enough of the Left’s feigned sympathy for the victims of illegal aliens.
To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: Do you actually want to protect our citizens?
Then vote to pass @RepMikeCollins’s Laken Riley Act. https://t.co/799k2B0aq7
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 7, 2025
“Securing the southern border and protecting our citizens is a top priority in the 119th Congress!” tweeted Representative Juan Ciscomani. “I voted for & cosponsor HR 29, the Laken Riley Act, to honor her memory and ensure bad actors here illegally are detained to prevent innocent lives from being lost to the crisis.”
Securing the southern border and protecting our citizens is a top priority in the 119th Congress!
I voted for & cosponsor HR 29, the Laken Riley Act, to honor her memory and ensure bad actors here illegally are detained to prevent innocent lives from being lost to the crisis.
— Congressman Juan Ciscomani (@RepCiscomani) January 7, 2025
On Tuesday, Senator John Fetterman became the first Democrat to co-sponsor the “Laken Riley Act” in the Senate.
