Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Paul Kanitra, all representatives of the 10th district, are calling on the New Jersey Legislature to progress their resolution urging Congress and the President to pass the “Laken Riley Act.”
“The death of Laken Riley is a stark example of the devastating consequences that can result from lax immigration policies,” stated Sen. Holzapfel. “For years we have warned about the potential ramifications of open borders and sanctuary cities. Such policies jeopardize the safety of millions of U.S. citizens, and tragically, some individuals like Laken Riley pay the ultimate price. I am calling for immediate legislative action on our resolution—we can’t turn a blind eye to those who have no respect for the law or the sanctity of human life.”
The resolution, known as SR95/AR137, advocates for Congress and the President to pass the “Laken Riley Act,” which stipulates that migrants who enter illegally and are accused of theft be placed into federal custody.
The “Laken Riley Act” was proposed following the tragic murder of 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was charged with her murder.
“The ‘Laken Riley Act’ could have prevented Riley’s murder because Ibarra would have been arrested for theft and taken into federal custody,” added Asm. McGuckin. “The passage of this Act by Congress and its enactment into law by the President would represent a significant step towards enhancing public safety across both New Jersey and the country as a whole. No family should ever again have to go through what Laken Riley’s family went through.”
“This horrific incident should never have happened because the accused should never have been allowed into our country in the first place,” said Asm. Kanitra. “Our resolution will help hold illegal immigrants who commit crimes accountable so that we can protect the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
