On January 20, 2025, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act (S.5), legislation aimed at addressing criminal activities by illegal immigrants. The Senate approved the bill with a bipartisan vote of 64-35 on the same day President Trump signed executive actions to enhance border security.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, emphasized the importance of this legislation in response to public safety concerns. “The tragic loss of Laken Riley has drawn the American public’s attention to the Biden administration’s flawed and dangerous immigration policies,” she stated. “With the passage of this legislation, we are taking important steps to restore public safety.”
The Laken Riley Act mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest illegal aliens involved in theft-related crimes such as burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It requires these individuals to be detained until they are deported from the United States to prevent further offenses. Additionally, it allows states to take civil action against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.
The act is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student murdered by Venezuelan illegal immigrant José Ibarra in February 2024. Ibarra had been arrested twice before but was paroled into the country.
In its previous session, the legislation passed through the House with a significant bipartisan majority but faced opposition from Senate Democrats who blocked its progress.
Furthermore, Sarah’s Law (S.84) was incorporated into this legislation just before its passage. Sponsored by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Sarah’s Law seeks amendments to require ICE detention for illegal immigrants charged with severe crimes like murder or serious injury and mandates efforts to identify victims and inform their families.
Sarah’s Law honors Sarah Root, an Iowa college graduate killed in 2016 by an illegal immigrant driving under influence; her killer was released on bond due to a legal loophole and subsequently disappeared.
