Attorney General Ken Paxton has publicly endorsed the recent signing of the Laken Riley Act by President Trump, hailing it as a significant step forward in combating what he refers to as "criminal illegal aliens" in the wake of what he attributes to former President Joe Biden's "open borders policies." According to a statement made by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Paxton accused Biden's administration of being accountable for dire consequences, including the murder of Laken Riley, which Paxton emphasizes should never have occurred.
The Laken Riley Act aims to expand the list of crimes that lead to the mandatory detention of an illegal alien, now encompassing offenses ranging from burglary and theft to assault on a law enforcement officer or any crime causing death or serious injury. The law further empowers state attorneys general, such as Paxton himself, to enforce these mandatory detention protocols, in addition to stipulating constraints on paroling aliens. Paxton, in his statement, expressed his commitment to working alongside President Trump with a view to reversing the policy stance of the previous administration and apprehending illegal immigrants who pose threats to public safety.
This new legislation allows state attorneys general more agency in immigration law enforcement procedures, a move Paxton supports as necessary for upholding federal immigration laws and maintaining public safety. The act’s provisions include changes that would have provided Paxton, during Biden’s presidency, additional leverage to challenge what he describes as "dangerous, radical open borders policies," as reported by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
The inclusion of non-violent crimes, such as shoplifting and larceny, among the triggers for mandatory detention marks a significant shift in the legislative approach to immigration and criminal law, aiming to draw a firmer line in preventing future tragedies like that of Laken Riley, after whom the law is named. In his public statement, Paxton said, "The Laken Riley Act will help us accomplish that mission and empower attorneys general like myself to play an even more active role in ensuring that our federal immigration laws are followed," reflecting his stance that stringent immigration enforcement is essential for justice and safety, as noted by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas.
