Congresswoman Fedorchak votes in support of Laken Riley Act
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) took her first legislative vote today, in strong support of H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act. The legislation, led by Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 264-159.
“I proudly voted for the Laken Riley Act today. The Biden administration's open border policies have been devastating to America. This legislation is an important step toward giving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the tools—and clear direction—it needs to hold illegal immigrants who commit theft and other crimes accountable,” Fedorchak said.
Laken Riley, the namesake for the legislation, was a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien on the University of Georgia’s campus in February 2024.
Riley’s murderer, Jose Ibarra, is an illegal alien who had been previously cited for shoplifting by the Athens Police Department. Ibarra was found guilty in November 2024 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
“Laken’s tragic death at the hands of an illegal immigrant—who should never have been allowed to remain in our country—is a stark reminder of what happens when our immigration laws are ignored and enforcement is undermined. We must secure our southern border. This bill is a necessary step to restore safety and justice, and I urge the Senate to pass it without delay,” Fedorchak stated.
The legislation aims to crack down on crime committed by illegal immigrants by amending federal law to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law.
H.R. 29 will also allow state Attorneys General to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.
Click here to read the legislation.