Henrico Times

Today, Congressman Rob Wittman of Virginia's First District voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act. This legislation mandates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants who commit specific crimes such as theft, assault on law enforcement officers, or violent acts causing death or serious harm. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now awaiting the president's approval.

Congressman Wittman expressed his support for the act by stating, "What happened to Laken Riley is heartbreaking – this could have happened to anyone in Virginia’s First District. No family should ever have to go through what Laken’s has endured. I’m proud to have voted for this bipartisan legislation, which will make a significant impact not only for our nation’s border security but also for the safety and security of men, women, and families across the country."

The act aims to protect American communities from criminal illegal immigrants by requiring ICE to issue detainers and take custody of those who commit specified offenses. ICE would use existing definitions from state or local jurisdictions where these acts occurred. Additionally, it allows state attorneys general to sue the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions harm their state or citizens.

The background of this legislation involves the case of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student murdered in February 2024 by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant released into the United States under controversial circumstances. Prior to this incident, Ibarra had been arrested for theft but was released by local authorities in Georgia without an ICE detainer being lodged.