Bill Text: NJ SR95 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Congress and President of United States to enact "Laken Riley Act."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-05-06 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SR95 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-SR95-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL
District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Space
SYNOPSIS
Urges Congress and President of United States to enact "Laken Riley Act."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Laken Riley Act."
Whereas, In February 2024, law enforcement officers located the body of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley in a wooded area on the University of Georgia campus in Athens; and
Whereas, Law enforcement determined the cause of death to be homicide and charged suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra with kidnapping and murder, among other charges; and
Whereas, Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant, crossed into the United States illegally and was detained by authorities but was released on parole pending a determination in his case; and
Whereas, Prior to being taken into custody for the murder of Laken Riley, Ibarra had been arrested in New York on charges of driving a scooter without a license and in Georgia, he was arrested in connection with a shoplifting case; however, when officials searched their databases they found no indication that he should be detained; and
Whereas, The tragic murder of Laken Riley is a stark example of the devastating consequences that can follow from lax immigration policies; and
Whereas, In response to this horrific crime, the United States House of Representatives passed the "Laken Riley Act," which requires that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody; and
Whereas, The "Laken Riley Act" provides local officials with the power to protect members of the community by requiring the detention of migrants who commit theft or burglary, which, in this case, would have prevented the murder of Laken Riley; and
Whereas, The State of New Jersey recognizes the importance of maintaining public safety and the rule of law; and
Whereas, The passage of the "Laken Riley Act" by the United States Congress and its enactment into law by the President would represent a significant step towards enhancing public safety across the country and the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The United States Congress and the President of the United States are respectfully urged to enact the "Laken Riley Act."
2. Duly
authenticated copies of this resolution, as filed by the Secretary of State,
shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Majority and
Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader
of the United States House of Representatives, and to every member of Congress
elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact the "Laken Riley Act," which requires that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody.
The "Laken Riley Act" was introduced in response to the tragic murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan migrant, was charged with the crime. The death of Laken Riley is a stark example of the devastating consequences that can result from lax immigration policies. Before being taken into custody for murder, Ibarra had been arrested for shoplifting. The "Laken Riley Act" would have prevented Riley's murder by requiring that migrants who enter the country illegally and are accused of theft be taken into federal custody.
The passage of the "Laken Riley Act" by the United States Congress and its enactment into law by the President would represent a significant step towards enhancing public safety across the country and the State of New Jersey.
