January 20, 2025, Washington, D.C.: Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) today voted for the Laken Riley Act (S.5), a critical step toward stronger borders and a safer America. This bill gives the Department of Homeland Security the power and authority to remove dangerous criminals from society, to protect Pennsylvanians and all Americans. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.
“Protecting Pennsylvania families from going through what Laken Riley’s family has gone through this past year is the responsibility of lawmakers, and I’m proud to support this bill today,” Senator McCormick said. “Empowering our law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe is critical if we to ensure that every American life is protected.”
McCormick is an original cosponsor of the Laken Riley Act, named for the nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant in February 2024. This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal aliens who have committed theft-related offenses. Additionally, the Laken Riley Act allows state governments to sue the federal government for injunctive relief over immigration-related decisions or failures that harm the state or its residents. This bill aims to ensure that tragedies—like what happened to Laken Riley—never occur on U.S. soil again.
Contact: Meghan Rodgers, meghan_rodgers@mccormick.senate.gov