Congressman Yakym votes for the Laken Riley Act and Strong Borders

Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM

Congrressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) issued the following statement after voting for the Laken Riley Act, which passed the U.S. House on a bipartisan basis today, January 7^th.

“Nearly one year ago, Laken Riley was brutally murdered in cold blood by an illegal immigrant who came into our country under President Biden’s open border. Today, our Republican-led House acted in the hopes that no other American family has to ever endure the unspeakable tragedy and grief that Laken’s family has had to.

“The open border policies of the past four years under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been an unmitigated disaster, and they've turned every American community into a border community. By passing this legislation as our first bill of this new Congress, we are showing that securing the border is our top priority and that we are taking back control of our country.

“I urge my Senate colleagues to pass this legislation immediately so it is sitting on President Trump’s desk and can be swiftly signed into law on January 20th."

Background

Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered on February 22, 2024 at the hands of an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Riley’s killer had been paroled and released into the United States after crossing the border illegally in August 2022, and was later arrested in New York City, only to be released once again.
After Laken Riley’s murder, President Biden didn’t apologize to Laken’s family for allowing her killer into our country, but only apologized for calling her murderer “illegal.”
The Laken Riley Act protects American communities by requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, and shoplifting offenses.
It also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over immigration enforcement decisions that have harmed the state or its residents, particularly in the case of parole.
Rep. Yakym was a cosponsor of similar legislation in the 118th Congress.