The Laken Riley Act: How Did They Vote?

Written by David E. Smith

The Laken Riley Act, introduced by U.S Senator Katie Boyd (R-AL) in the Senate (S.5) and U.S. Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) in the House (H.R. 29), aims to increase immigration enforcement. Once signed into law, it will mandate the detention of illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. It also allows states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement that result in harm to the state or its residents.

This federal legislation is named after Laken Riley, the 22-year-old victim who was viciously murdered by Jose Ibarra, an illegal alien from Venezuela.  According to this New York Post article, Ibarra is a Tren de Aragua gang member with a criminal past. Ibarra was convicted on 10 counts including murder and aggravated assault with intent to rape. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. According to this report,

he was arrested when he entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, in 2022, but was released with temporary permission to stay – a common occurrence.

On Tuesday, January 7th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 264-159 (with 11 not voting), to pass the Laken Riley Act. Joined by 48 Democrats, Republicans voted unanimously in favor of the bill, while all the nay votes came from Democrats.

For the Illinois Congressional Delegation, twelve of our seventeen U.S. Representatives voted against the Laken Riley bill to detain criminal aliens.  The roll call vote results are as follows:

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-1st) — NAY
(773) 779-2400

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-2nd) — NAY
 (773) 321-2001

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-3rd) — NAY
(773) 799-8219

U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia (D-4th) — NAY
(773) 342-0774

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-5th) — NAY
(773) 267-5926

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th) — NAY
(630) 520-9450

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7th) — NAY
(773) 533-7520

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8th) — NAY
(202) 225-3711

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) — NAY
(773) 506-7100   

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10th) — NAY
(847) 383-4870

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-11th) — NAY
(630) 585-7672

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-12th) — Yea
(217) 240-3170

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-13th) — Yea
(217) 814-2880

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-14th) — NAY
(630) 549-2190

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-15th) — Yea
(217) 703-6100

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-16th) — Yea
(309) 671-7027

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-17th) — Yea
(309) 786-3406

This legislation is expected to be taken up in the U.S. Senate on Friday where it is expected to pass. According to a Politico report, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is on record as in support of this immigration legislation:

Nine Democratic senators have said they plan to vote in favor of advancing the Laken Riley Act on Friday, which would begin debate for the bill and break the filibuster. The bill would mandate detaining undocumented immigrants who are charged with theft or burglary.

Those senators include:

• Mark Kelly (Ariz)

• Jacky Rosen (Nevada)

• Tammy Duckworth (Ill.)

• John Fetterman (Pa.)

• Gary Peters (Mich.)

• Ruben Gallego (Ariz.)

• Jon Ossoff (Ga.)

• John Hickenlooper (Colo.)

• Angus King (I-Maine)

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has not yet indicated how he will vote.

TAKE ACTION: Please click HERE to send an email to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, urging him to vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act.

Thank you!