The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act on Tuesday, marking the first major legislation approved by the 119th Congress. The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student tragically killed by an illegal immigrant, seeks to bolster public safety by tightening immigration enforcement measures. Despite its widespread bipartisan support, New Mexico’s entire Democratic House delegation—Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez, Gabe Vasquez, and Melanie Stansbury—voted against the measure, prioritizing policies that benefit criminal aliens over the safety of their constituents.
The bill passed with a 264 to 159 vote, earning the backing of all voting Republicans and 48 Democrats. This represents an increase in Democratic support compared to last year’s vote on the legislation, signaling growing bipartisan concern over immigration enforcement failures. “We welcome with open arms any Democrat who wants to help us solve these problems because the American people demand and deserve it,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said ahead of the vote.
The Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes and grants states the authority to sue the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for harm caused by federal immigration policies. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary step to hold the Biden administration accountable for its perceived leniency on border security.
“It’s striking that one of Gabe Vasquez’s first votes in Congress is against keeping New Mexico families safe. Vasquez wants an America where illegal migrants can murder, rape or steal without fear of punishment,” wrote the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Will Reinert.
“Today, Gabe Vasquez proved to New Mexicans that their safety and well-being is not his priority,” said Congressional Leadership Fund Regional Press Secretary Maureen O’Toole. “What will it take for Vasquez to protect New Mexico families and take border security seriously?”
“House Republicans won’t stop fighting to secure the border and protect American communities,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said. “When will Democrats finally decide enough is enough?” Scalise emphasized that the bill directly addresses the tragic consequences of lax immigration policies, such as the murder of Laken Riley.
Jose Ibarra, the illegal immigrant convicted of Riley’s murder, had a history of prior arrests but was never detained by ICE. This failure to act, critics say, underscores systemic flaws in federal immigration enforcement. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., who introduced the bill, called the measure a “commonsense” approach to protecting American lives.
Despite these arguments, Reps. Leger Fernandez, Vasquez, and Stansbury sided with the majority of their party in opposing the legislation. Their votes have sparked criticism from New Mexicans who view the bill as a straightforward measure to enhance public safety, and their votes resonate even louder since New Mexico is a border state. By opposing the act, the delegation has chosen to align with policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over the well-being of law-abiding citizens.
“I think they put politics ahead of principle,” Speaker Johnson said of Democrats who opposed the bill last year. The same criticism is now being directed at New Mexico’s representatives, who are accused of turning their backs on constituents concerned about rising crime and border insecurity.
The Laken Riley Act’s passage comes amid broader Republican efforts to reintroduce border security legislation as the party takes control of both chambers of Congress. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week, potentially setting up a showdown with Joe Biden, whose administration has faced sharp criticism over its immigration policies.
Just goes to show you Criminals will always protect Criminals. New Mexico Land of Corruption not Enchantment.
I believe that the people that represent us in DC are not elected legitimately.The re-districting and the 1 party rule and oversight with no approval required by the opposing party shows the contempt of the DPNM.
What a picture of corruption.. Why is this always the case in NM? The massive, overwhelming majority of voters in the US voted against this position, yet all of NM’s Democrats vote against Normal, reasonable protections for citizens. Open your eyes NM, the Democrats do not have your interests at heart….what does it take for NM voters to see this? These 3 are shameful as well as all the Ds who voted against this. Imagine if Laken Riley was your daughter, your wife!
It definitely shows you that those who vote to protect criminals, are either terribly ignorant, or criminals themselves. Who do you think keeps all the domestic violence alive? And the pedophile rings? It’s obvious that the NM government gas done nothing to protect the GOOD people.
Wake up, ye people!
There are only a few who fight for your safety and wellbeing.
2 Keys: Pray more, and fight for Justice. Become politically active. Also vote for the right people, be informed.
VOTE THESE 3 OUT…
“By opposing the act, the delegation has chosen to align with policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over the well-being of law-abiding citizens.”
Absolutely shameful and disgusting.
Not shocked, I expect nothing less from New Mexico Democrats, its progressivism which is their new religion. They care nothing about New Mexicans, “Little Ole New Mexico ” one of the most evil and corrupt states in the Country.
This is what we get when ideology trumps common sense. NM has long voted democrat and what have we got to show for that? Very little.
I only wish Democrats would read these comments but I doubt seriously if any democrat gets the Piñon Post.
Nuevo Mexico, The Politicos are up to some shady business and have been for years. This vote to ignore the decline of this state/country should come as no surprise. But there are other matters that are rather interesting…
Do Better NM!
Rev. Rico
When Gabe Vasquez visited Deming in October I told him that he had blood on his hands. He then asked me what I was referring to, so I cited his abysmal record on abortions and the deaths caused by illegal aliens.
By voting against the Laken Riley Act and siding with her killer, Gabe demonstrates that he does indeed have blood on his hands.
Now there is the Gabe that represents southern NM I was surprised when news was out that he voted for it, I guess the Marxist controllers called him to get him in line. I guess NM wants their daughter’s raped and their attackers released because they are not US citizens. How long will it take NMs to learn that the marxist democrats give a crap about them, but NMs keep voting them in.
What idiots we are (as a state) I refuse to vote for any democrat as a democrat that is even close to the center if not backed in the primaries. Heck when our area had the elected democrat die, Santa Fe selected the farthest leftest marxist put in and of course the republican lost because we have die hard democrats that are clueless on what the NM government is doing to take there freedoms away
There are no Democrats close to center, their agenda is abortion, open borders and minor allowed transgendering.
If you are surprised that the NM dem squad voted against
this, you haven’t been paying attention.
You so correct… Their stupidity is not a surprise and we all know they are ungodly and full of sinful ideas.
Killing babies in the womb up to birth should tell you exactly where their hearts (black) are.
What do you expect from communist scumbags on Soros’s payroll! But blame NM voters for continuing to put foul creatures like this in office! Anyone with a brain and good conservative candidate would not have voted them back in.
voting in these comrades of MLG is totally beyond my comprehension as to why are people so blinded to see NM crumbling around us due to the corrupt and ungodly Democrats in office. I say VOTE THEN OUT!
Not only does DC have a swamp to clean out, so does NM.
We so need to get rid of the swamp dwellers in the Round House.
Vasquez, you have blood on your hands.
Vote them all out! They are ruining our state.
You see… this is where “constituent” becomes a very interesting word…
The illegals are how the communofascists running NM muddy the waters and continue their “vote washing”. So, technically, they ~are~ taking care of their “constituents”… it’s just their constituents are criminals (by definition, breaking the law by illegally crossing the border to enter the US they are criminals), some of them are extremely violent and some are sexual predators, and the cost is citizens being raped and murdered. Recall though, for the communofascists, the ends always justify the means; your safety and security are collateral damage.
get the scum out of office, vote everyone of them out.
The Republican Party should send postcards to every registered Democrat voter to inform them of how these politicans vote.
In particular to Leger-Fernandez’s district where she proclaims herself “hija del norte”. The vast majority of her constituents do not know how she votes.
How can counties that are majority Catholic Hispanics be voting for such a vile person? Because they are ill informed.
Come on Republicans do better in informing the voters. Get these America Last scum voted out of office.
They are accessories to crimes and should be held accountable by the citizens. Every voter needs to know.