Republican lawmakers are preparing to vote on the Laken Riley Act, their first federal legislation of 2025, named in memory of Laken Riley, a nursing student tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant in Georgia.

The act is a direct response to the circumstances surrounding Riley's death, which was caused by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant who had previously been arrested but not detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A Senate procedural vote on the Laken Riley Act is anticipated as early as January 10, 2025, with support from Democratic Senator John Fetterman.

The House passed the Laken Riley Act on January 7, 2025, with a vote of 264-159, gaining bipartisan support from 48 Democrats alongside all Republicans.

The Senate is expected to consider the act this week as part of a broader agenda focused on border security in the newly Republican-majority Congress.

Key senators to watch include Georgia's Jon Ossoff, who is facing re-election in 2026, and other former House members like Ruben Gallego and Elissa Slotkin, who previously supported a version of the bill.

Ibarra, the illegal immigrant convicted of Riley's murder, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in November 2024, highlighting the serious implications of the bill.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has emphasized that the bill aims to hold the Biden Administration accountable for perceived failures in border policy.

The legislation seeks to enhance immigration enforcement by mandating that ICE detain illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes until their deportation.

The legislation not only holds undocumented immigrants accountable for certain crimes but also allows states to sue the federal government if they believe immigration laws are not being enforced.

Senator Katie Britt has stated that Congress has a duty to act on behalf of victims of illegal immigration, emphasizing that voters support measures to remove criminal illegal aliens.

With Donald Trump set to be inaugurated as President on January 20, 2025, the Laken Riley Act is positioned as a key component of the Republican agenda in Washington, D.C.