Rep. Mike Collins, a Republican from Georgia, has proposed a bill that would mandate ICE to detain undocumented individuals facing charges of local theft or burglary. This comes after an immigrant accused of these crimes was released and subsequently charged with the murder of a college student in the United States.
The Laken Riley Act is dedicated to 22-year-old Laken Hope Riley, a college nursing student who passed away her life on the campus of University of Georgia. Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela accused of a violent homicide, had been taken into custody on several occasions before the crime, yet was not held by ICE, as per Fox News.
Lawnaker Proposes Laken Riley Act
The recent murder of Laken Riley has caused regained talks about immigration policies, with a focus on the alleged killer's immigration status and criminal record. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, is said to be in the US without legal status, and has avoided removal despite a history of criminal activities.
Since his entry into the country in 2022, Ibarra has been involved in various criminal activities, including shoplifting and child endangerment. The shocking details of his actions have prompted calls for a reevaluation of existing immigration policies.
Representative Mike Collins of Georgia has introduced new legislation, named the Laken Riley Act, aimed at addressing the gaps in current immigration protocols. The proposed law would mandate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals like Ibarra after their first offense, providing a preventive measure before potential further criminal activities.
Collins, who represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, the same community where Riley met her tragic end, emphasizes the urgency of the proposed legislation. The bill seeks to hold the Secretary of Homeland Security accountable for taking custody of aliens charged with theft and other specified crimes.
The recent suspicion of Ibarra, only five months back, brought attention to the deficiencies in the system. Accused of endangering a child and a motor vehicle license violation, he was let go by the NYPD before ICE could give him a detainer. Adding to the problem, New York City's policy as a 'sanctuary city' usually restricts law enforcement's collaboration with ICE detainers, according to Daily Mail.
Laken Riley Act Targets Immigration Flaws
The proposed legislation doesn't solely focus on individual cases but addresses systemic flaws. Collins points out that the Laken Riley Act responds to a broader failure in federal law, particularly regarding the issuance of detainers for certain crimes. He emphasizes that the bill's provisions aim to fill these gaps, ensuring that individuals charged with crimes like theft are subject to appropriate immigration actions.
Collins criticizes President Joe Biden's administration for its perceived laxity on border control, citing Riley's tragic murder as evidence of an "illegal alien crime wave." He calls for a comprehensive approach, not only condemning border policies but also pushing for legislative changes that would compel ICE to act in cases like Ibarra's.
The legislation includes a provision allowing states to sue the federal government if they or their citizens suffer harm due to immigration-related actions. Collins sees this as a necessary mechanism to hold the federal government accountable when its failures result in tragic outcomes.
As the country eagerly anticipates President Biden's State of the Union address, Collins commits that the House will act to address the perceived damage caused by the administration's immigration policies. The Laken Riley Act, created in memory of the victim, is a proposed solution with the objective of improving public safety and addressing concerns about the immigration system, The Western Journal reported.
