Congresswoman Tenney Cosponsors Laken Riley Act and Endorses the New York State Companion Bill

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) cosponsored H. R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure illegal immigrants charged with a crime are held in police custody. 

Introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Collins (GA-10), this legislation follows the devastating homicide of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, whose suspected murderer was a Venezuelan who entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been arrested and released in New York City. Tenney also endorsed New York State bill S8533/A9617, known as "Laken's Law." This bill was introduced in the New York State Senate by Senator Andrew Lanza and was introduced in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo. Many of the State-level officials representing NY-24 are cosponsors of this important bill, including Senators Rob Ortt, Pamela Helming, Tom O'Mara, George Borello, and Assemblymen Will Barclay, Marjorie Byrnes, Scott Gray, Phil Palmesano, David DiPietro, John Lemondes, and Mike Norris. This bill requires law enforcement and courts to inform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the arrest or conviction of individuals who are not citizens and repeals New York State laws that prevent cooperation between law enforcement and ICE.

"The tragic death of Laken Riley could have been avoided if President Biden and Albany Democrats had enacted strong border policies and ended the pro-criminal bail reform policies that have allowed these dangerous criminals back into our communities," said Congresswoman Tenney. "President Biden can end this crisis that is killing our neighbors and children with a stroke of a pen. Yet he refuses to put Americans first, endangering every single one of our communities. We cannot allow this reckless disregard for our nation to continue. I look forward to voting for the Laken Riley Act later this week and urge the New York State Legislature to pass Laken's Law swiftly."

###