Memphis Standard

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has announced the Senate's passage of the Laken Riley Act, named after 22-year-old Laken Riley. Riley was murdered by a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was convicted last year.

The act mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest illegal aliens involved in crimes such as theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, assault on law enforcement officers, or any crime causing death or serious injury. It also requires these individuals to be detained until deportation to prevent further offenses. Additionally, it grants states the right to take civil action against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

“Laken Riley’s murder was a devastating and senseless tragedy, and we must take action to ensure other American families do not have to endure such unthinkable loss at the hands of criminal illegal aliens,” said Senator Blackburn. “This legislation will make certain illegal aliens who commit crimes are arrested and removed from our country, and it will also give states the power to sue federal officials who refuse to enforce the law. I’m grateful my colleagues voted to make our communities safer, save lives, and prevent avoidable tragedies.”