Schmidt-Cosponsored Border Security Bill Passes House

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, which he cosponsored as one of his first actions as a member of Congress.

“Today’s passage of the Laken Riley Act is a strong first step to begin fixing the Biden border crisis. As Attorney General, I saw far too many cases of illegal immigrants with prior, lesser offenses committing violent crimes. It’s unacceptable and must stop.

“I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this legislation, and I’m confident it’s the first of many actions we take this year to secure our borders and improve community safety. I encourage the Senate to promptly pass this bill and have it ready for President Trump to sign into law when he returns to the White House on January 20.”

BACKGROUND

Named for Laken Riley, the 22-year-old college student who was tragically murdered by an illegal alien in February of 2024, H.R. 29 requires that illegal aliens who commit property crimes are detained for deportation. The goal is to prevent criminal offenders from committing more severe crimes against U.S. citizens. It also provides state attorneys general standing to sue federal immigration officials who refuse to comply with federal immigration law, ensuring that states can protect their citizens regardless of presidential administration.