The 119th Congress passed its first piece of legislation Tuesday.
With a continued focus on border control and illegal immigration, the House passed the Laken Riley Act, which requires detention of migrants arrested for theft.
Fifth district Congressman Tim Walberg provided a statement on the passage.
“House Republicans have started a reverse course by passing the Laken-Riley Act, named after a college student who was brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant who was previously arrested and released by authorities,” Walberg says. “I was proud to support the passage of the Laken-Riley Act, which will protect our communities and prevent more tragedies from taking place.”
The legislation passed in a 264-159 vote and is expected to go to the Senate later this week.
This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are charged with low-level crimes, and expedite their deportation, even before they are convicted.
