Attorney General Miyares is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass the Laken Riley Act, emphasizing the importance of the legislation in preventing future tragedies. Miyares expressed his belief in the necessity of the act, stating, “The Laken Riley Act is so common sense that it stuns me that this isn’t everyday practice.” He added, “Individuals who are here illegally and breaking our laws, endangering the safety of American citizens, should not be given additional chances. Laken Riley deserved better, and it’s up to us to ensure this sort of tragedy never happens again.”
The Laken Riley Act, also known as H.R. 7511, mandates the detention of any illegal alien for offenses such as larceny, burglary, theft, or shoplifting. Despite receiving bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 251-170, every Virginia Democrat voted against it.
In a joint effort with a 26-state coalition, Attorney General Miyares and his counterparts penned a letter urging the Senate to advance the bill. The letter highlights the impact of President Biden’s immigration policies on creating a border crisis and emphasizes the need for states to take action in the absence of federal intervention. The coalition sees the Laken Riley Act as a crucial tool in combating illegal immigration and safeguarding American citizens.
Attorney General Miyares was supported by a coalition of states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, in the call for Senate action on the Laken Riley Act.
As efforts continue to push for the passage of the Laken Riley Act, Attorney General Miyares and his colleagues remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the well-being of their respective states.