Rep. John McGuire’s Statement on the Passage of the Laken Riley Act

January 22, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative John McGuire (VA-05), today released the following statement about the passage of the Laken Riley Act, legislation which would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft: 

“Laken Riley had a bright future – she was a nursing student who spent countless hours studying to improve and save the lives of others. Her life was unfortunately cut short when an illegal immigrant, murdered her while she was jogging one morning. As a husband, father, and a brother, I was appalled by the violent crime committed against Laken Riley. I am proud to cosponsor my good friend, Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia’s bill and I am thankful for his hard work to bring the Laken Riley Act before the House. I am proud that this bill will be the first bill that President Trump signs into law.” 

Background:  

  • The Laken Riley Act is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old college student who was brutally murdered by an illegal alien from Venezuela. The murderer was part of the 10-15 million illegal immigrants who crossed the border during the Biden/Harris Administration. He was arrested by Border Patrol agents in 2022 and subsequently released with temporary permission to stay in the country under a program created by the Biden Administration to shield Venezuelans from deportation.
  • The Laken Riley Act amends federal law to require 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. 
  • H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, was introduced by Rep. Mike Collins (GA-10) and passed the House on January 7, 2025. 
  • S. 5, the Senate’s version of the bill, passed the Senate on January 20, 2025. Read more about the bill here. 
  • The bill voted on today also strengthens the list of criminal offenses, such as mandatory detention for assault on a law enforcement officer and crimes that result in serious bodily harm. 
  • The legislation also allows 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.
  • In January, Rep. John McGuire cosponsored the previously House-passed version of the Laken Riley Act. Read the press release here. 
  • In January, Rep. John McGuire delivered his first floor speech as a Member of Congress. The topic was the Laken Riley Act. Watch the floor speech here. 

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Issues: Congress