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Schmidt-cosponsored Border Bill passes Congress, heads to Trump’s desk

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) released the following statement after the House passed S. 5, the Senate-amended version of the Laken Riley Act.

Included in the Laken Riley Act is language from H.R. 578, Sarah’s Law. Congressman Schmidt cosponsored both bills.

It will make communities in Kansas and across the country safer by requiring the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants who commit offenses including theft, assaults on law enforcement, and violent crimes.

“Today’s passage of the Laken Riley Act is a strong first step to begin fixing the Biden border crisis,” Schmidt said. 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.

“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.”

BACKGROUND

Named for Laken Riley, the Augusta University student who was tragically murdered by an illegal alien in February of 2024,

S. 5 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.

Named for 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal alien driving under the influence of alcohol, H.R. 578 requires 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 House previously passed H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, as a standalone bill. The Senate version 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.

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