HOUSE PASSES LAKEN RILEY ACT WITH CONGRESSMAN ALLEN'S SUPPORT

Floor Speech

"It is with a tremendously heavy heart that I rise in strong support of H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act.

Just two weeks ago, at the hands of a violent illegal alien, we lost yet another American life—a beloved daughter, student, and Georgian.

Laken was a student at Augusta University’s nursing school in Athens and was well on her way to a successful career helping others and saving countless lives—all to be cut brutally short by a vicious criminal.

This should have never happened and cannot happen again in this country.

Not only is the suspect in Laken Riley’s tragic death here illegally, but he also has a criminal record that includes shoplifting in Athens-Clarke County. Allowing this criminal to freely roam our communities was absolutely unacceptable.

H.R. 7511 will ensure illegal immigrants who commit theft are detained by ICE rather than released back into our communities. The bill also allows states to sue the federal government for failing to enforce our border laws.

I am sick of President Biden and liberal officials across the country not enforcing the laws on the books. It is beyond me how anyone can support the sanctuary and catch-and-release policies that have attracted illegal aliens to those communities, just like the one responsible for taking Laken Riley’s life.

I strongly urge a yes vote on this important legislation to protect our nation. Robin and I continue to join our fellow Georgians and the nation in praying for Laken’s family and loved ones. She will not be forgotten. I yield back."

Source