Congressman McGovern Votes Against Laken Riley Act, Cites Concerns Over Immigrant Protections and Due Process

The House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act on Tuesday with a vote of 269 to 154. Among those voting against the bill was Massachusetts Congressman James McGovern (D-Worcester). The act is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia who was murdered while jogging. Her killer was in the country illegally. The bill received support from 48 Democrats and all Republican members of the House.

McGovern expressed concerns about the legislation, urging those upset by his vote to read the bill thoroughly. He pointed out that existing laws already mandate arrest, incarceration, and deportation for violent crimes, such as the murder of Laken Riley. According to McGovern, the act targets immigrants broadly, including some with legal status. He argued that the bill allows for deportation without due process for minor offenses, such as shoplifting.

McGovern criticized the use of Laken Riley’s name, claiming it was being exploited to pass a flawed bill. He suggested that if protections for farm workers, students, and other legally present immigrants had been included, the legislation could have garnered unanimous support. Instead, he accused Republicans of prioritizing political sound bites over meaningful immigration reform, emphasizing the need for serious efforts to address the nation’s immigration challenges.

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