OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford (R-OK), serving as the Republican Conference Vice Chair, has urged the Senate to pass the Laken Riley Act. During a messaging hour on the Senate floor, he emphasized the importance of border security and safer communities.

"You’ll see for the next hour a whole group of Republicans coming to the floor to be able to talk about one issue—our need for border security and safer communities," Lankford stated. He noted that this concern is shared not only by Senate Republicans but also by many Americans who supported President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress in recent elections.

Lankford highlighted the case of Laken Riley, a college student from Georgia who was murdered by an individual from Venezuela. This person entered the United States illegally, was detained at the border but released under a parole system in 2022. "He should have never been in the United States," said Lankford, recounting how this individual committed multiple crimes before ultimately murdering Riley.

The proposed legislation aims to ensure that individuals present illegally in the U.S. who commit crimes are deported. "The Laken Riley Act is pretty simple," explained Lankford. He questioned why passing such legislation is challenging when it aligns with what many Americans desire: secure borders and communities.

Lankford expressed willingness to discuss concerns with his colleagues across party lines, emphasizing common sense measures for detaining individuals who are illegally present and have committed additional crimes. As President Trump’s inauguration approaches, Lankford looks forward to collaborating on initiatives to enhance border security.

"This is something the American people want," he concluded, stressing their demand for secure borders and communities.