A new border security bill cosponsored by freshman Congressman Derek Schmidt may soon be signed into law.

 

The Laken Riley Act passed the U.S. Senate on a 64 to 35 vote on Wednesday with twelve Democrats joining Republicans to approve the measure. The Senate-amended version of the bill includes language from another house bill called Sarah's Law. Schmidt co-sponsored both bills.

 

The Laken Riley Act requires the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants who commit offenses including theft, assaults on law enforcement, and other violent crimes. The measure now awaits President Trump's signature in order to become law.

 

“[The] passage of the Laken Riley Act is a strong first step to begin fixing the Biden border crisis. I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this legislation, and I’m confident it’s the first of many actions we will take this year to secure our borders,” said Schmidt. “Including portions of Sarah’s Law in this bill is personally important to me. As Attorney General, I prosecuted far too many cases where Kansans were harmed by illegal immigrants who were often under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s unacceptable and must stop. I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation, which will improve community safety in Kansas and across the country.”

 

Sarah's Law was named for 21-year-old Sarah Root who was killed by an illegal alien driving under the influence of alcohol in 2016. That bill, originally introduced in the House of Representatives, required U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain any illegal alien who harms or kills an American citizen and ensures that these criminals are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Senate version of the Laken Riley Act strengthens the list of criminal offenses that subject illegal aliens to mandatory detention by adding “assault on a law enforcement officer” and “crimes that result in serious bodily injury.” Schmidt cosponsored similar standalone bills on each of these policies.