WASHINGTON, DC (Michigan News Source) – In February 2024, 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley was brutally murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national and Tren de Aragua gang member who had entered the U.S. illegally, had prior run-ins with the law but remained free due to lapses in enforcement. This tragedy ignited a national debate on illegal immigration policies and public safety.

In the wake of Riley’s death, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Laken Riley Act” in March of 2024; however, the Democratic-controlled Senate failed to take up the bill.

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The legislation mandates that immigration authorities detain any undocumented immigrants charged with or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. It also empowers state attorneys general to sue federal officials for failing to enforce immigration laws.

If state or local officials fail to act, the Homeland Security secretary is directed to “effectively and expeditiously take custody of the alien.” This directive would supersede Democratic-led “sanctuary policies,” which aim to limit cooperation with federal authorities in immigration cases.

The legislative response.

Fast forward to January 7, 2025, and with a new Republican majority in Congress as well as the help of some Democrats, the bill was reintroduced and passed again in the the House in a decisive 264-159 vote, garnering support from 48 Democrats. As the first piece of legislation taken up by the GOP-controlled Congress, the bill signals their priorities moving forward which House Speaker Mike Johnson said was border security and immigration, echoing the priority of incoming President Donald J. Trump.

Michigan’s Congressional Delegation any how they voted.

The Michigan delegation in Congress voted in favor of the bill 9 to 4 with the same four Democrats that we reported had voted against deporting illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes – Debbie Dingell, Haley Stevens, Rashida Tlaib, and Shri Thanedar – all voting against the Laken Riley Act as well. All Republicans voted in favor as did Democratic Representatives Hillary Scholten (Grand Rapids) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (Flint).

Michigan U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell released a statement about the bill saying, “Today I voted against the Laken Riley Act, which is a misleading messaging bill. Under this bill, someone could make a false accusation for retaliatory reasons that could destroy a person’s life…”

She went on to say that the bill doesn’t contain Constitutional due process protections and that the broken immigration system needs to be fixed. She also remarked that the Laken Riley Act doesn’t secure the border or enact serious immigration reform and, instead, “exploits the murder of a 22-year- old student for political messaging.”

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U.S. Rep. Dingell also added that she voted against the bill because “I don’t want anyone, especially young DACA recipients, to unjustly suffer consequences that last a lifetime” and because there are already laws to “ensure people who commit serious crimes can be deported.”

Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain posted on X about the vote, “159 Democrats voted against the Laken Riley Act, requiring ICE to detain illegals who commit crimes. Proud to have voted with my Republican colleagues to stop this insanity brought on by Biden. Biden protects illegals and criminals. President Trump will protect our families.”

The Senate is set to review the bill on Friday.

According to the New York Post, Republicans in the Senate, now holding the majority, aim to push for its swift passage.

The Senate is scheduled to consider the bill on Friday, and with several senators expressing support, it is widely expected to overcome any filibuster and advance to the next stage. Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan has confirmed his support for the bill. Newly elected Senator Elissa Slotkin has not yet announced her position publicly, but she did vote in favor of the bill last year when serving as a Representative.