Washington, D.C. is in panic mode. They can’t believe what’s happening.
As the U.S. just made an earth-shattering announcement with huge consequences for Donald Trump.
Senate Takes Immediate Action on Illegal Migrant Criminals Amid Border Crisis
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has announced that addressing illegal migrant criminals will be the Senate’s top priority as it reconvenes in the new legislative session. In a statement shared with reporters on Monday, Thune emphasized the “urgent need” for action in light of the ongoing crisis at the southern border under the Biden administration.
Thune pointed to the tragic death of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student, as a driving force behind the proposed legislative efforts. “Laken Riley’s horrific m*rder at the hands of an illegal alien should have never happened,” Thune told the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF). “There is an urgent need to take action regarding the border crisis to protect the American people, which is why I chose this as the first bill [Laken Riley Act] the Senate will vote on this Congress.” The Senate is expected to vote on the bill as early as this Friday, according to sources familiar with the proceedings.
The legislation, known as the “Laken Riley Act,” seeks to crack down on illegal migrants who commit crimes, such as theft, in the United States. The bill will be considered in tandem with companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia, the bill is designed to ensure that illegal migrants committing theft-related crimes are detained by federal immigration authorities.
“An illegal criminal came into my district and k*lled Laken Riley because our law enforcement did not have the tools to stop him,” Collins told the DCNF. “Laken fought until her last breath, and so will I until this bill crosses the finish line and lands on the President’s desk.” Collins’s commitment to the bill comes after the senseless k*lling of Riley by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who was residing in the United States illegally.
Riley was tragically m*rdered in February 2024 while out on a run near her college campus. Ibarra, who had a criminal record in the U.S., was convicted of her m*rder in November 2024. Prior to the k*lling, Ibarra and his brother had been arrested in October 2022 for allegedly shoplifting at a Walmart in Athens, Georgia. However, the brothers were released after the charge was classified as a misdemeanor. The failure to detain Ibarra following this earlier incident raised significant concerns about the gaps in law enforcement’s ability to address repeat offenders living illegally in the country.
As the 119th Congress begins, the United States Senate will work to ensure President Trump has his team in place to secure our border, protect our homeland, and provide for our nation’s defense. pic.twitter.com/cggWiSzr9t
— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) January 3, 2025
The proposed legislation in both chambers of Congress seeks to address these gaps by ensuring that illegal immigrants like Ibarra, who are involved in criminal activities, are detained and deported. If passed, the law would mandate that federal immigration authorities hold such individuals until they can face justice.
Should the bills pass both the House and Senate, they would then be sent to President-elect Donald Trump for final approval. The Trump-Vance transition team has yet to comment on whether the incoming president would sign the legislation into law. If Trump were to endorse it, the legislation could significantly alter how the U.S. handles illegal migrants who commit crimes, especially in the context of the ongoing border crisis.
The case of Laken Riley has become a rallying point for lawmakers like Thune and Collins, who argue that stronger measures are needed to protect American citizens from the dangers posed by illegal immigration. As the Senate and House gear up for votes on this critical issue, the country is watching closely to see whether these bills will move forward and whether they will receive the president’s signature.
Illegal Immigration: A Central Issue for Donald Trump and the Republican Party
Illegal immigration has become one of the most defining issues for former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, particularly as both seek to address concerns about border security, national safety, and economic impacts. Since his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump has made the issue of illegal immigration a cornerstone of his political platform, and it continues to be a key point of contention as he heads back to the White House this year.
Trump’s focus on illegal immigration began with his controversial promises to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico and to curb illegal immigration through stricter enforcement. His “America First” policy sought to prioritize American workers by reducing the number of unauthorized migrants who were perceived to be competing for jobs, draining public resources, and posing a security threat.
This rhetoric resonated with a large portion of the electorate, particularly those who viewed illegal immigration as a growing crisis. Under his administration, Trump enacted several policies aimed at limiting immigration, including the “zero tolerance” policy, which led to family separations, and the “Remain in Mexico” policy that required asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases were processed.
For the Republican Party, illegal immigration has evolved into a defining issue in national politics. Many GOP leaders, emboldened by Trump’s example, argue for tougher border security, increased funding for border patrol, and a reevaluation of asylum policies. The GOP is also critical of the Biden administration’s approach to immigration, which many conservatives see as more lenient and, in their view, contributing to an influx of illegal migrants at the southern border.
Donald Trump’s hand-picked “border czar”, Tom Homan, has been making headlines in recent weeks with statements making it abundantly clear that everyone will need to comply with the incoming Donald Trump administration’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants, especially those who are violent and cause heartache like in the Laken Riley case.
This is Tom Homan, the next Border Czar. 🔥🔥
JUST LET THAT SINK IN. pic.twitter.com/J9gXXQZvPo
— TRUMP ARMY (@TRUMP_ARMY_) January 7, 2025
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
