Central ND News

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) has joined forces with U.S. Senators Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL) and Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Laken Riley Act, a legislative measure aimed at addressing the escalating rate of violent crime in major cities across the United States.

The Act, named after 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley who tragically lost her life at the hands of an illegal immigrant with a history of criminal activities, mandates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft offenses and ensures their detainment until deportation.

Senator Cramer emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "The Biden administration needs to wake up to the harsh realities their policies have created. Illegal aliens are already criminals when they break our immigration laws. When they add to their rap sheet, they should be punished accordingly. Detaining and deporting illegals who commit so-called minor offenses is an obvious step toward preventing reoffending."

Furthermore, Senator Cramer highlighted the significance of preventing such tragedies in the future, saying, "Laken Riley’s murder was a senseless tragedy, and we owe it to Laken and everyone affected by these crimes to prevent another tragedy like this one."

Following its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support, Senate cosponsors are urging leadership to expedite the process and bring the Laken Riley Act to the Senate floor for a vote promptly.