On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives gave final approval to the Laken Riley Act (SB 5), which now heads to newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump’s desk. If Trump signs this bill, it will be the first piece of legislation he will sign into law during his second term as president.
THE LAKEN RILEY ACT is officially passed and heading to President Trump’s desk for his signature!
This commonsense, lifesaving legislation ensures ALL illegal immigrants who commit crimes are DETAINED and DEPORTED. @HouseGOP is already creating safer communities for Americans!
— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) January 22, 2025
“Laken Riley’s death was a horrific and preventable tragedy, a stark reminder of what happens when leadership fails and laws go unenforced,” freshman Congressman Pat Harrigan, NC-10, told the Carolina Journal. “The Laken Riley Act fixes what should have been common sense all along: criminal illegal aliens will be arrested, detained, and removed from this country. With this bill now heading to President Trump’s desk, we’re not just talking about securing our borders, we’re doing it.”
This is the companion bill to HR 29, which recently passed in the House. Republican lawmakers representing North Carolina in Congress came out vocally supporting the Laken Riley Act.
“This is about protecting American families, restoring accountability, and putting an end to the preventable violence that has plagued our communities for far too long,” Harrigan added. “The Laken Riley Act delivers real action, not empty promises, to make America safer and stronger for everyone.”
The bill is named for a nursing student who was stabbed to death on February 22, 2024, while jogging on campus at the University of Georgia. Jose Ibarra, an illegal migrant from Venezuela who had previously been cited for shoplifting by the Athens Police Department, was convicted in her murder.
“For the past four years, Americans have been forced to deal with the consequences of a border crisis created by reckless policies that failed to secure our nation and endangered innocent lives,” freshman Congressman Tim Moore, NC-14. “With President Trump signing the Laken Riley Act into law, we are taking a strong stand to uphold our immigration laws and protect innocent Americans like Laken Riley. This law sends a clear message: if you harm innocent people or our law enforcement, you will face real consequences. Enough is enough — we are taking action to ensure tragedies like this never happen again.”
Moore most recently served as the Speaker of the House in the North Carolina General Assembly, where he served for almost a decade and was endorsed by now-President Trump during the congressional race.
“What a difference an election makes. In the previous Congress, the U.S. Senate wouldn’t even allow debate on the House-passed Laken Riley Act,” said Rouzer in a press release. “With Senate and House approval now achieved, it will go to the President for his signature to become law. This new law will make it easier for our law enforcement to take illegal criminal offenders, including murders such as the one who killed Laken Riley, off the streets and ensure their deportation.”
Laken Riley should still be here today.
I’m proud to have voted yes on the Laken Riley Act — common-sense legislation and the first step toward making Americans safe again.
Let’s keep working to ensure that, no matter who’s in the White House, this never happens again. pic.twitter.com/M1Ok0xDn70
— Rep. Mark Harris (@RepMarkHarrisNC) January 7, 2025
Both House and Senate legislation align with priorities outlined by the Trump-Vance Administration directly after Trump was sworn in on Monday. Since then, Trump has issued a slew of executive orders related to immigration.
How Did They Vote?
The House voted 263-156 to pass the Laken Riley Act, with 46 Democrats crossing party lines and joining Republicans to vote in favor of the bill. US Rep. Don Davis, D-NC01, was the only Democrat from North Carolina to cross party lines and vote with Republicans in favor of the bill.
US Rep. Alma Adams, D-NC12-Nay
US Rep. Donald Davis, D-NC01-Yea
US Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-NC11-Yea
US Rep. Valerie Foushee, R-NC04-Nay
US Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-NC05-Yea
US Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-NC10-Yea
US Rep. Mark Harris, R-NC08-Yea
US Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC09-Yea
US Rep. Brad Knott, R-NC13-Yea
US Rep. Addison McDowell, R-NC06-Yea
US Rep. Tim Moore, R-NC14-Yea
US Rep. Greg Murphy, R-NC03-Yea
US Rep. Deborah Ross, R-NC02-Nay
US Rep. David Rouzer, R-NC 07-Yea
A complete list of how each congressional member voted can be found here.
The post US House passes Laken Riley Act, sent to Trump’s desk first appeared on Carolina Journal.
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