Tuberville Continues Efforts to Pass Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), joined U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and the entire Senate GOP conference in announcing the introduction of the Laken Riley Act. The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and would mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States so they cannot reoffend and commit further crimes. This legislation would also ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.

This legislation was originally introduced in the House ofRepresentatives by Congressman Mike Collins (R-GA-10). Sen. Tuberville cosponsored the Laken Riley Act upon its original introduction in March 2024.

"No family should have to go through what the Riley family has endured over the last year," said Sen. Tuberville. "Because of Joe Biden's open borders, Laken's life was brutally ended by a criminal illegal alien. Joe Biden owes her family an apology for failing to do his basic job and secure the border. The American people delivered a message on November 5: they demand a President who will defend the Constitution and protect Americans from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now that Republicans control Congress and the White House, we must start delivering on our promises to ensure this never happens again. Legislation like the Laken Riley Act will help President Trump restore law and order and secure the border."

"Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth-from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams-by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake-he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes. Laken's murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies," said Sen. Britt. "The American people did not just deliver a mandate on November 5^th, they delivered a verdict. They made it clear they want to remove criminal illegal aliens and protect American families. We will soon know whether Democrats hear, respect, and obey that verdict. Congress has an obligation to Laken, her family, and to families in every corner of our country to do everything in our power to help prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. That's why it's imperative we pass the commonsense Laken Riley Act with all due haste. No other American family needs to feel the pain Laken's family still feels 320 days after losing her."

"What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. As we turn the page from the disastrous open-border policies of Joe Biden, the Laken Riley Act will empower the Trump administration to enforce our laws, keep our nation secure, and prevent tragedies. I thank Senator Britt for her partnership and her leadership in this bipartisan effort," said Sen. Budd.

U.S. Senators Tuberville, Britt, and Budd were joined by U.S. Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rand Paul (R-KY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-ND), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Tim Young (R-IN) in cosponsoring the legislation.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, and HELP Committees.

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