Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young, representing Indiana, has announced his support for the Laken Riley Act in collaboration with several Senate Republican colleagues. This act is the Senate counterpart to H.R. 7511, which was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month.

The proposed legislation aims to mandate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal immigrants involved in theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. It further stipulates that these individuals be detained until their removal from the United States to prevent them from reoffending. The act also allows states to initiate civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws or violate them.

Senator Young recently spoke on the Senate floor about Laken Riley's life, stating: “To Laken’s family and friends, your fellow Americans grieve with you and we are saddened by your loss. We pray and hope that, in time, you will find comfort in the example that Laken leaves behind. But let me add my voice to the chorus of voices in emphasizing that words of condolence aren’t enough. No, far better for us to honor Laken’s life by doing everything, everything within our power to ensure that no other family endures this tragedy.”

In his remarks, Young urged President Biden to reconsider current border policies and focus on securing the southern border.