Federal court records and announcements

House Passes Bipartisan H.R. 29 'Laken Riley Act' to Detain Illegal Immigrants Charged with Theft

Jan 7, 2025, 06:33 PM

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport illegal immigrants who commit theft-related crimes, including burglary and shoplifting. Named after 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered last year by an illegal immigrant, Jose Ibarra, the bill aims to prevent similar tragedies by ensuring that individuals with criminal records are detained before they can commit further offenses. The legislation received bipartisan support, passing the House on January 7, 2025, with a vote of 264-159, including 48 Democrats in favor. The act also empowers state attorneys general to sue the federal government over immigration enforcement failures. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Democratic Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Gary Peters of Michigan have signaled their support.