The very first bill signed into law by President Trump in his second term was legislation named after the dearly departed Laken Riley, a young nursing student from Georgia who was brutally assaulted and murdered by an illegal alien. This Laken Riley Act was the first bill taken up for a floor vote in the new 119th Congress, but it is far weaker than it should be in light of the election results last November. What this legislation should have done is secure our border and empower President Trump to deport dangerous immigrants without judicial interference. However, this law unfortunately accomplishes neither. Republicans in the House initially designed and introduced this legislation in 2024 in an attempt to counter President Biden, not empower newly-inaugurated President Trump.
What the new law does accomplish is an authorization to courts to rule in favor of state Attorneys General who might sue the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Well half of the states are against Trump on this all-important issue, such that giving them more power does not help. Officials in sanctuary and pro-immigration cities can easily circumvent the new requirements in this legislation. California has already allocated $25 million to frustrate Trump’s deportation of dangerous illegal aliens. If you’re looking for a reason why 48 House Democrats voted for this new law, look no further.
Congress should be strengthening President Trump’s hand rather than dispersing power elsewhere. Democrats are all-too-happy to support this bill and breathe a sigh of relief at how Republicans on Capitol Hill are failing to enact the strong policies against immigration crime that Trump campaigned on. Congress should enact a bill to construct a border wall and to withdraw jurisdiction from federal courts to interfere with any deportations. The Laken Riley Act should have included meaningful protections to ensure the unspeakable crimes against this young woman are never repeated. In this narrow window when GOP strength is at its zenith, congressional Republicans must push for significant change and strong border security legislation.
This post originally appeared at https://www.phyllisschlafly.com/family/laken-riley-act-is-not-enough-2/
Phyllis Schlafly