U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, cast her vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act today. The legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Capito, passed in the Senate with a 64 to 35 vote.
The act mandates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens involved in theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and requires their detention until removal from the United States. It also allows states to initiate civil actions against federal officials who do not enforce immigration laws or violate them.
“Americans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and the Laken Riley Act is a first step in doing that,” said Senator Capito. “Passing this critical legislation on Day One of the Trump administration is fitting and reaffirms our commitment to turning the page on the previous administration. I look forward to working with President Trump and new Republican majorities in Congress to advance smart policy, like the Laken Riley Act, so that we can crack down on illegal immigrants that choose to wreak havoc across the country, secure our border, and prevent another tragedy like Laken Riley’s from ever occurring again.”
The bill was initially introduced by Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.) in the U.S. House of Representatives and passed there with a bipartisan vote of 264 to 159, including support from 48 Democrats.
Senator Capito had previously co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act during the 118th Congress when it passed in the House but did not reach a vote under then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
This piece of legislation was prioritized as the first for consideration by the Senate in its 119th Congress session. It was introduced by Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), along with Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and all members of the Senate Republican Conference.
Senator Capito recently delivered a floor speech voicing her strong support for this bill.
