Suffolk Reporter

Rep. Nick LaLota has expressed his support for the passage of H.R. 29, known as the Laken Riley Act, which aims to enhance public safety and strengthen immigration enforcement in the United States. The legislation seeks to increase federal accountability and extend the Department of Homeland Security's authority to detain undocumented immigrants suspected of criminal activities.

"Laken Riley’s tragic and preventable murder is a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce our immigration laws," stated LaLota. "The Laken Riley Act ensures that individuals who are in the country illegally and commit crimes like theft or burglary are detained and removed, preventing them from re-offending and endangering others. By holding federal officials accountable for enforcing the law, this legislation places the safety of American families and communities first. I was proud to join my colleagues in passing this vital bill to honor Laken’s memory and help prevent future tragedies."

The act mandates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest undocumented immigrants involved in theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. It requires their detention until they are deported from the United States to prevent further criminal activity. Additionally, it provides states with legal standing to pursue civil action against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws or violate them.

The background of this legislation is tied to a tragic incident on February 22, 2024, when 22-year-old Laken Riley was murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her body was found near Lake Herrick in Oconee Forest Park; she died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. José Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, was arrested for her murder and other charges. In November 2024, he was convicted on all counts and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.