Third Way Statement on the Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON—Third Way released the following statement from Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice President for Social Policy, Education, & Politics:

“House Republicans are using the tragic murder of Laken Riley to perpetuate their false narrative of a ‘migrant crime wave’ and to avoid responsibility for tanking the strongest bipartisan border security bill in history.

“Instead they are pushing their radical anti-immigrant bills that have no bipartisan support or buy-in, because doing nothing and doing it loudly is the way this do-nothing House operates.

“Let’s be clear: Laken Riley’s murderer should be held accountable for his actions, and a strong, bipartisan border security bill should be debated on the House floor. But this bill is not the answer to any of our country’s problems.

“Under the Laken Riley Act, a Dreamer who lives in a hostile state could be subject to indefinite detention simply because someone says they suspect them of a petty crime. They’d have no recourse, even if they were never charged with anything and were living here legally. That’s un-American and wrong.

“A secure border is a top issue for voters across the political spectrum. We have the strongest bipartisan border security bill in history right in front of us right now. In honor of Laken Riley, let’s put politics aside and pass something real, not something fake.”