Congresswoman Luz Rivas takes first vote in Congress against extreme House Republicans’ anti-immigrant agenda

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, in her first vote as Representative for California’s 29th Congressional District, Congresswoman Luz Rivas (D-Calif.) voted against H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act, House Republicans’ extreme bill to further inflict harm on immigrant communities.

“The first bill House Republicans put forth for the 119th Congress exploits a horrible tragedy to inflict more harm on immigrant communities while offering no real solution to immigration reform,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “We need humane and sensible immigration reform that protects the dignity of immigrants, not further dehumanize and harm them. This bill — which will unjustly increase the number of mandatory detentions for undocumented immigrants — is a clear violation of due process and will put more lives in danger. Laken Riley was taken from this world far too soon, and perpetrators of these actions must face consequences.”

Background

H.R. 29 requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody immigrants who have been charged in the United States with theft, including being charged with, arrested, convicted, admits having committed, or committing acts which constitute the essential elements of any burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offense. H.R. 29 passed the House of Representatives by a roll call vote of 264 Yeas and 159 Nos. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for potential consideration. 

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