Stefanik votes in favor for ‘Laken Riley Act’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure last Thursday in remembrance of a college student, who was murdered by a man who illegally entered the country.
The ‘Laken Riley Act’ has been introduced with aims of requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants who are charged with theft or burglary.
The act has been proposed following the tragic death of American college student Laken Riley at the hands of an illegal immigrant, Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26.
North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted in favor for the act. “House Republicans have delivered for the American people by passing strong legislation to prevent another tragedy like what happened to Laken Riley from occurring,” she said in a released statement.
Her full statement here: “Due to Joe Biden’s reckless open border policies, Laken Riley will never be able to complete her nursing degree, become a front line healthcare worker in her community, or celebrate her incredible achievements and life with her loved ones. Laken Riley’s life was robbed because Democrats refused to end the invasion of illegal immigrants via our Northern and Southern Borders. House Republicans have delivered for the American people by passing strong legislation to prevent another tragedy like what happened to Laken Riley from occurring. It’s past time Joe Biden and Democrats acted to secure our borders and put Americans’ safety and prosperity first.”
Riley, 22, was a nursing student at the University of Georgia and was found dead in late February after jogging near a lake on campus, authorities said.
Ibarra, who was residing in Athens, GA when the crime was allegedly committed, was charged in Riley’s killing with felony murder, false imprisonment, kidnapping and concealing the death of another.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Ibarra is a Venezuelan migrant, who is not a United States citizen.
37 House Democrats reportedly voted in concert with GOP members, while 177 voted against, with some criticizing the measure as a stunt to target immigration on an election year.
Elise Stefanik image.
