Senate Passes Laken Riley Crime Bill with Strong Support from Arizona Senators

Senate Passes Laken Riley Crime Bill with Strong Support from Arizona Senators

In a recent decision, the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at addressing crime committed by illegal immigrants. The bill, which gained broad bipartisan support, now moves on to the House of Representatives for final approval before heading to the President’s desk.

The bill is named after Laken Riley, a woman from Georgia who was tragically murdered last year. The suspect in her death, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was an immigrant who was in the United States illegally. His case highlighted the flaws in the system when it comes to deporting people involved in serious criminal activities. The bill aims to give law enforcement more power to take action against individuals who break the law while residing in the U.S. illegally.

The Senate passed the bill on a 64-35 vote, with support from both Democratic Senators from Arizona, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. The bill also had strong backing from Republicans. Gallego, who had previously supported a similar version of the bill when he served in the House, expressed his support for the legislation by co-sponsoring it in the Senate.

In a statement, Senator Gallego said, “Arizonans know the real-life consequences of today’s border crisis. We must give law enforcement the tools to act when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent tragedies like the one that happened to Laken Riley.”

Senator Mark Kelly’s office also shared that the bill is part of a broader effort to strengthen border security and reform the U.S. immigration system. Both Senators agreed that tougher laws are needed to prevent future crimes committed by people in the country illegally.

The Laken Riley Act focuses on immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally and have committed felonies. Under the new law, even individuals who have only been charged with a crime, rather than convicted, could face deportation. This part of the bill has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it could lead to unfair treatment and violate due process.

Rep. Sean Casten, a Democrat from Illinois, raised concerns about the bill, stating that it could lead to deportation for individuals who have only been charged with a crime, not convicted. He warned that this could take away their right to a fair trial.

Despite the opposition from some lawmakers, the bill has received widespread support. The idea behind the bill is to protect American citizens from criminals who are in the country illegally. It aims to prevent situations like the one that occurred to Laken Riley, where a criminal was able to remain in the country due to a slow and ineffective deportation process.

Riley’s tragic death has become a key example in the political debate over immigration and border security. The suspect, Ibarra, was arrested in Texas in 2022 for crossing the border illegally. However, due to delays in the deportation process, Ibarra was released. Later, he was involved in a shoplifting case and a minor citation before being accused of murdering Laken Riley.

The bill is expected to pass through the House of Representatives without much opposition. The previous version of the bill received overwhelming support from Republicans and some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton from Arizona.

Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, celebrated the passage of the bill in the Senate, calling it a critical step toward securing the U.S. border and making the country safer. “This bill will save lives and protect American citizens from illegal immigrant criminals,” he said.

Supporters of the bill argue that it will help improve public safety by ensuring that criminals who are in the country illegally face stronger consequences for their actions. The bill reflects the growing concern among Americans about crime linked to illegal immigration. Recent polls show that immigration and border security have become top issues for U.S. voters, with many expressing a desire for stricter laws and tougher enforcement.

While the Laken Riley Act addresses a real concern for many Americans, it also raises important questions about the balance between security and individual rights. As the bill moves forward, it will continue to spark debate on how best to handle illegal immigration and criminal activity.

(Source : newsbreak.com)

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