U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming addressed the Senate, expressing her support for the Laken Riley Act. Her remarks were centered on a tragic incident involving Laken Riley, a college student who was murdered while jogging on her university’s intramural fields.
Senator Lummis recounted the circumstances surrounding Riley’s death, emphasizing that the assailant was an illegal immigrant who had previously crossed the southern border and committed multiple crimes without facing deportation. She criticized current immigration policies, stating: “The Biden administration’s open border policies served the criminal’s depravity more than Laken and her family.”
Lummis highlighted the importance of accountability within immigration enforcement. “Had he been appropriately prosecuted for his previous crimes,” she said, “the Riley family would have celebrated Riley’s birthday instead of mourning an empty chair.”
The proposed legislation aims to hold criminal illegal aliens accountable and allows states to bring civil charges against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws. Senator Lummis urged her colleagues to pass this bipartisan bill as a tribute to Laken Riley’s legacy.
“The Laken Riley Act won’t bring Laken back,” she noted, “but it is a vehicle for turning the Riley family’s pain into purpose and partnering together to protect American families.” She concluded by calling on lawmakers to seize this opportunity to make a positive difference.
