The House passed a bill on Thursday mandating federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants accused of theft. Republicans used the recent death of a nursing student in Georgia to criticize President Joe Biden’s border policies.
The bill’s passage occurred just hours before Biden’s State of the Union address. Following the tragic death of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, Republicans introduced the “Laken Riley Act” in the House.
The bill, brought to the floor to coincide with President Biden’s annual address, passed with a vote of 251-170. All Republicans and 37 Democrats supported the legislation, which was more symbolic than realistic in terms of enactment. The nine-page bill aimed to make a political statement and was unlikely to advance in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
“Republicans will not stand for the release of dangerous criminals into our communities, and that’s exactly what the Biden administration has done,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News.
ALSO READ: Rep Jim Banks Calls on Biden To Mention Laken Riley in State of the Union Address
Laken Riley’s death has galvanized support from Donald Trump, the probable GOP presidential nominee. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally, has been arrested on murder and assault charges in connection with Riley’s death.
Ibarra was permitted to remain in the U.S. to pursue his immigration case but has not yet entered a plea to the charges against him. Riley’s tragic death has heightened concerns over illegal immigration and enforcement of immigration laws.
Jose Ibarra was arrested by New York police in August. He was charged with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation.
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ICE was unable to request that New York officials hold Ibarra until immigration authorities could take him into custody. New York officials claim they have no record of Ibarra’s arrest, complicating the situation further.
The legislation includes provisions allowing states to sue the federal government. States can pursue legal action if they can prove harm caused by immigrants who entered the country illegally. This legislative effort is part of a broader Republican strategy.
Republicans aim to highlight immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and link them to violent crimes. Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican, extended an invitation to Riley’s parents for the State of the Union. Riley’s parents decided to remain at home as they mourned their daughter’s loss.
ALSO READ: MSNBC Hosts Faces Criticism for Mocking Virginia Voters’ Concern Admit Immigration
Rep. Johnson highlighted Riley’s case as emblematic of innocent Americans harmed by illegal immigrants. He emphasized the need for action to address crimes committed by individuals in the country illegally.
The speaker also announced that New York City police officers involved in a brawl with migrants in Times Square would be among his guests for the State of the Union. Despite individual cases, overall data shows no evidence that immigrants are more likely to commit violent crimes.
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