Hoosier State Today

Today, Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) cast his vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act. The Senate approved the bill with a 64-35 vote.

The proposed legislation mandates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens involved in offenses such as theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or assaulting a law enforcement officer. It also applies to crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The bill requires these individuals to be detained until they are deported from the United States to prevent further offenses. Additionally, it allows states to file civil actions against federal officials who do not enforce immigration laws or violate them.

Senator Young remarked, "Laken Riley should still be with us today. The man who killed Laken entered the United States illegally and was arrested and released multiple times before killing Laken." He added that securing the border is a national security priority and described the bill as part of efforts to counteract what he referred to as "the Biden Administration’s open border policies."

With Senate approval secured, the bill will now move on to the House for further consideration.

Senator Young has previously expressed support for the Laken Riley Act during the 118th Congress and recently discussed it on the Senate floor.