Cape News

This week, U.S. Representative Jason Smith from Missouri supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act in Congress. The legislation aims to provide law enforcement with more tools to address crimes committed by illegal immigrants. It is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed last year by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela.

Smith expressed his concerns regarding what he perceives as a lack of action on crime involving illegal immigrants. "For four long years, the Left has turned a blind eye to deadly, violent crime perpetuated by dangerous illegal immigrants," he stated. He referenced Jose Ibarra, the individual responsible for Riley's death, highlighting that if local law enforcement had contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Riley might still be alive.

The congressman also mentioned another incident involving Officer David Lee from Missouri. Lee was killed by an intoxicated driver without a license who was also an illegal immigrant. Smith criticized what he described as the "Left’s open-border agenda" and emphasized the significance of passing the Laken Riley Act as a step toward securing borders.

The new legislation mandates ICE to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens involved in theft-related offenses like shoplifting. Furthermore, it allows state attorneys general to seek legal action against the Secretary of Homeland Security for immigration policy failures affecting their states.

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