Kiggans Votes to Hold Illegal Immigrants Accountable for Violent Crimes

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act:

“Today, I was proud to vote for the Laken Riley Act. This legislation is a win for our families, our communities, and our country.

“It has been nearly a year since Laken Riley, a young nursing student with such a promising future, was brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant while out on her morning jog. Her killer was previously arrested then released by both federal and local authorities after crossing the border illegally in 2022. Nothing can reverse this senseless tragedy and bring Laken back, but by acting now we can save future lives. 

“This important bill holds the Biden Administration accountable for their role in releasing dangerous criminals into our communities by requiring the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft and allowing states to sue the Federal government on behalf of their citizens for not enforcing the border laws. I am hopeful the Senate will act quickly on the Laken Riley Act so we can get back to enforcing the rule of law.

“I continue to pray for the Riley family, who wakes up every morning facing the greatest heartbreak a parent can imagine…the loss of a child.”

Background:

More than 8.8 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at the southern border under the Biden Administration. 

Since FY2021, Border Patrol has recorded over 55,000 arrests of illegal immigrants with criminal histories, compared to just around 22,000 from FY2017-2020. 

There are over 7.4 million individuals in ICE’s Non-Detained Docket, compared to just 3.2 million at the end of FY2020. Among these 7.4 million are 650,000 illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds – including more than 13,000 convicted murderers, 15,000 with sexual assault convictions, 62,000 convicted of assault, and 56,000 with drug convictions.

A historic number of individuals on the terrorist watchlist (392) have been caught illegally crossing our borders since FY2021, compared to just 14 between FY2017 and 2020.

You can read the full text of the Laken Riley Act here.

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