Sen. Katie Britt on Tuesday reintroduced the Laken Riley Act, which would require a federal agency to arrest and hold undocumented theft suspects until they can be deported.

The legislation is named after the University of Georgia nursing student who was killed in 2024 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan national, while Riley was jogging on campus in an incident that impacted the national debate on immigration.

Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest undocumented immigrants charged with theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting offenses and mandate those suspects be detained until they are deported so they cannot reoffend.

Prior to Riley’s murder, Ibarra had been cited on shoplifting charges by local authorities in Georgia but had not been arrested or detained by ICE.

“Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth—from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams—by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake—he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes,” Britt said in a statement. “Laken’s murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies.”

The Senate version of the bill has the support of every Republican and is also cosponsored by Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said President Biden’s immigration policy was to blame for Riley’s death.

“No family should have to go through what the Riley family has endured over the last year,” Tuberville said in a statement.

“Because of Joe Biden’s open borders, Laken’s life was brutally ended by a criminal illegal alien. Joe Biden owes her family an apology for failing to do his basic job and secure the border. The American people delivered a message on November 5: they demand a President who will defend the Constitution and protect Americans from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Now that Republicans control Congress and the White House, we must start delivering on our promises to ensure this never happens again. Legislation like the Laken Riley Act will help President Trump restore law and order and secure the border.”

Britt sponsored the legislation last year, which was dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate.

But with the new Republican Senate majority coupled by the GOP-led House, the Laken Riley Act’s prospects for passage have improved, although the legislation’s fate remains uncertain.

Britt will play a major role in attempting to secure votes to pass the bill after the was named a deputy whip under Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

“I am honored Senator Barrasso chose me to join his team as one of the deputy whips,” Britt said in a statement. “Our new Senate Republican majority has a tremendous opportunity to get things done and enact President Trump’s agenda. As deputy whip, I am excited to help unite our conference and make a difference in the lives of hardworking Americans.”