U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) voted with the majority to pass the Laken Riley Act on Monday evening.
The Laken Riley Act, filed as S.5, is named after Laken Riley, the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was killed last year at the hands of an illegal Venezuelan immigrant while on a jog near campus.
The bill passed the Senate by a 64-35, with 12 Democrats voting with the majority.
Laken Riley’s murder was a devastating and senseless tragedy, and we must take action to ensure other American families do not have to endure such unthinkable loss at the hands of criminal illegal aliens.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 20, 2025
The bill would require the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue a detainer for illegal aliens who are charged or cited with theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill would also ensure that states have the standing to bring civil action against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or violate the law.
In addition, the Senate added amendments to the bill listing assault on law enforcement and crimes that result in death or serious bodily injury to another person as detainable offenses.
The bill now heads back to the U.S. House of Representatives for approval given the new amendments added. If passed in the House, the bill will be sent to President Donald Trump’s desk for final approval to become law.
Glad to see this common sense bill pass the Senate. This is a critical first step in helping President Trump secure our border and make our nation safe again. https://t.co/cHDdT414KG
— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) January 21, 2025
“Laken Riley’s murder was a devastating and senseless tragedy, and we must take action to ensure other American families do not have to endure such unthinkable loss at the hands of criminal illegal aliens,” Blackburn said in a statement.
“This legislation will make certain illegal aliens who commit crimes are arrested and removed from our country, and it will also give states the power to sue federal officials who refuse to enforce the law. I’m grateful my colleagues voted to make our communities safer, save lives, and prevent avoidable tragedies,” Blackburn added.
Hagerty said he was “glad” to see the passage of the “common sense” bill, adding, “This is a critical first step in helping President Trump secure our border and make our nation safe again.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Laken Riley” by Laken Riley.
