In a decisive move, the House approved the Laken Riley Act, mandating that immigration authorities detain non-citizens charged with crimes. This measure is seen as a rebuke to the current administration’s immigration policies. Despite the bipartisan nature of the bill, with 37 Democrats voting in favor, it passed mainly with Republican support, the final count being 251-170.
The act, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from the University of Georgia who was allegedly killed by an immigrant with a previous arrest for illegal border crossing, has put immigration and border security firmly on the legislative agenda. As the nation approaches Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, Republicans are sharpening their focus on immigration, challenging the administration’s approach to border management.
“The Laken Riley Act would help prevent future tragedies. If Senator Schumer and [Joe] Biden care to protect Americans and are serious about securing the border, they will bring this legislation up for a vote and sign it into law immediately,” House Speaker Mike Johnson stated.
However, the passage of this bill has highlighted stark divisions among legislators, with far-left, open-borders Representative Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, which runs along the border, voting against the life-saving legislation. His vote has been met with intense criticism from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
“Americans murdered in cold blood – but Gabe Vasquez does not care about the safety of his community. As Joe Biden’s lackey in the House, Vasquez allowed for this open border crisis to flourish and this vote means he has blood on his hands,” NRCC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar expressed in a scathing rebuke. Other Democrat Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez voted against the bill.
The Laken Riley Act, at its core, is designed to mandate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain migrants arrested for committing a crime. Riley’s tragic death has ignited a firestorm among Republicans, who cite it as a preventable consequence of what they perceive as the Biden administration’s failed border security policies. They have called for a reinstatement of more stringent border measures from the previous administration.
The issue of immigration policy has become increasingly charged as Republicans press Joe Biden to address the issue directly in his State of the Union speech, suggesting that a failure to mention victims like Riley would signify a neglect of the real-world impacts of immigration policy.
While Riley’s parents declined an invitation to attend the State of the Union, Representative Mike Collins of Georgia honored them with a moment of silence on the House floor, leaving a vacant seat to represent not just Riley but all American victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
As the debate continues, Representative Vasquez’s vote is likely to be an election issue, especially due to the Second Congressional District direcly harmed by his inaction on the border crisis. GOP former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell is the Republican nominee to take on Vasquez in November.
Wow… that is really bad…
This man killed her. There is no allegedly about it. That word casts doubt, stop using it ,there is no doubt.
What about the other Representatives They are on the same boat as Vasquez. How did they vote? Let us know especially Ferendez Leger. Whe I called her office I was told not to call them illegals that they were undocumented. Seeing as all three of these damcrats are up for reelection I think you show all let us know about their voting record. Not just Vasquez. They must all go as they are no good for New Mexico. Heneich and Lujan are just the same.
Agreed.
All 3 NM Reps voted Nay. Despicable.
Thes skum bag demodRATS will do nothing until it is one of their family members that has their life taken away at the hands of an Illegal!!! It always innocent Americans that suffer the consequences of mis-guided democRATS. They could care LESS about USA Citizens.
I can’t say one nice thing about these radical leftist’s who voted this down. New Mexico needs to vote these people out
America first. These leftist Dems prioritize illegal aliens over Americans.
Another episode in the disgraceful term of Gabe Vasquez. What an embarrassment.
Gabe’s days are numbered as our congressman. He is a disgrace to the majority of his constituents in CD-2.
Gabe Vasquez, Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez, you better start paying attention to the LAWS of America and protect the citizens!!! ILLEGAL crossing in to America is ILLEGAL!!!! The people are tired of politicians playing threats and danger of bad actors getting a free ticket to come to America!!