Laken Riley Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from North Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, just 2 weeks ago, at the hands of a violent illegal alien, we lost yet another American life, a beloved daughter, student, and Georgian. This has been heartbreaking for the family, our communities, and this Nation. That is why I stand before you today, Mr. Speaker, and rise in strong support of H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act.

Laken was an outstanding student at Augusta University's nursing school in Athens and was well on her way to a successful career in 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 Nation. In fact, this could have been prevented had the Senate passed H.R. 2 and secured our border.

It is the responsibility of Congress and this administration to make sure that every American can live in this country safely and that we are a law-abiding nation.

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 would ensure illegal immigrants who commit theft are detained by ICE rather than released back into our communities. The bill would also allow 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 current law. 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.

In fact, the President has statutory authority to secure our border.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on this important legislation to protect our Nation.

Robin, our family, and I continue to join all of our fellow Georgians and this Nation in praying for Laken's family and loved ones. She will not be forgotten.

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