The passage of the Laken Riley Act in the U.S. House has sparked significant controversy, particularly among progressive Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), whose opposition to the bill has drawn sharp criticism both online and from constituents in her home district. The act, named after University of Georgia student Laken Riley, who was tragically murdered in 2023 by an illegal immigrant, aims to expand deportation measures for nonviolent offenses such as theft and narcotics distribution. Proponents argue it’s a commonsense response to public safety concerns, while critics see it as exacerbating racial and social tensions.
Ocasio-Cortez joined 158 other Democrats in voting against the bill, a decision that has ignited a firestorm on social media. Many constituents expressed frustration with her stance, questioning her priorities in the face of rising crime in New York City. One local voter on X demanded that she address her decision in one of her signature livestreams, writing, “Can you explain to your constituents why you voted against the Laken Riley Act? Think we would all like to better understand your position as crime is clearly an issue in all boroughs including Queens. FWIW I am a registered democrat in NYC. Thanks!”
.@AOC rolls up to the Amazon Teamsters strike at DBK4 in Queens, New York! Join us on the picket line to show your support for these heroic workers!
#MakeAmazonDeliver #1u #Teamsters pic.twitter.com/fOo3iWA3EA
— Amazon Teamsters (@amazonteamsters) December 22, 2024
Popular conservative account End Wokeness amplified the backlash by posting a list of all 159 Democrats who opposed the act, including prominent progressives such as Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The opposition has underscored the ideological divide between progressives and those advocating for stricter immigration enforcement measures in the wake of crimes involving illegal immigrants.
The bill seeks to address the gap in current law, where two petty nonviolent offenses are required to trigger deportation proceedings. The Laken Riley Act would expand this to include a single nonviolent offense, such as burglary or shoplifting. However, its practical implementation faces significant hurdles in cities and states with sanctuary policies. Local police in municipalities like New York, Chicago, and Boston are prohibited from detaining suspects solely based on immigration status. These policies allow individuals to post bail and potentially evade federal authorities, frustrating ICE’s ability to enforce immigration laws.
Hi – Can you explain to your constituents why you voted against the Laken Riley act? Think we would all like to better understand your position as crime is clearly an issue in all boroughs including Queens. FWIW I am a registered democrat in NYC. Thanks!
— Indy Investor (@IndyInvestor99) January 8, 2025
Critics of the bill, like Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), argue it undermines due process and inflames tensions between immigrant communities and law enforcement. “People deserve to have their day in court and are innocent until proven guilty,” Jayapal said, a sentiment echoed by others in opposition.
Supporters counter that the law is a necessary step to protect public safety, especially in the face of high-profile tragedies like Laken Riley’s murder. They argue that sanctuary policies and the failure to detain suspected illegal immigrants have allowed preventable crimes to occur, eroding public trust in government institutions.
Wow, what a shock to see @AOC on this list among the rest of the terrible people not in support of the Laken Riley Act 🤦🏼♂️ https://t.co/zpm5ACLAuQ
— PJ__NotFleck〽️ (@PJ__86) January 7, 2025
