Did moderate Democrats get religion with embrace of Laken Riley Act?
Congressional Republicans campaigned on border security last year, so it comes as no surprise that their first legislative action of 2025 focused on illegal immigration and tightening up the border. The tragic murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley at the hands of Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was used as a rallying cry for the Republicans to push for stricter immigration laws.
The passage of the Laken Riley Act in the House was a significant victory for Republicans, with some Democrats also joining in support. The bill requires federal detention for anyone in the country illegally who is arrested for crimes such as shoplifting or theft. Republicans argued that if such policies had been in place, Riley might still be alive today.
Progressive Democrats criticized the Republicans for what they viewed as exploiting Riley’s death for political gain. Accusations of race-baiting were thrown around, with some Democrats calling the bill an empty and opportunistic measure. However, moderate Democrats representing swing districts also voted in favor of the bill, signaling a shift in the party’s approach to border security.
The Senate, now controlled by Republicans, is set to take up the Laken Riley Act for consideration. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has made it a priority for the new session, and Democrats like Sen. John Fetterman have voiced support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of securing the border and enforcing immigration laws.
The passage of the Laken Riley Act in the House and its potential approval in the Senate marks a turning point for Democrats on the issue of border security. The party is learning from past mistakes and acknowledging the impact of inaction on the border security issue. With more immigration and border security bills expected in the coming months, it remains to be seen if Democrats will continue to join Republicans in addressing these critical issues.
