TRENTON, N.J. — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the controversial Laken Riley Act this week, but not without significant opposition from New Jersey’s Democratic delegation, who largely voted against the measure. The legislation, aimed at increasing deportation powers for undocumented immigrants convicted of violent crimes, now moves to the Senate, where Democratic New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim are expected to cast their votes.
Now, all eyes are on New Jersey’s two senators. Will they fall in line with the Democrat party’s obstructionism in Washington, D.C. or will they vote in favor of the bill to protect Americans and New Jersey citizens from violent crimes committed by undocumented migrants.
Neither has spoken publicly regarding their opinion on the vote, but both men have consistently voted against any punitive immigration reform during their careers in Washington, D.C.
In the House vote, seven New Jersey Democrats, including Reps. Donald Norcross, Frank Pallone, Rob Menendez, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, opposed the bill. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill, both Democrats, were marked as not voting. All three Republican members of the state delegation—Reps. Tom Kean Jr., Chris Smith, and Jeff Van Drew—supported the legislation.
The bill’s journey to the Senate comes as public attention continues to focus on high-profile crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants, including one of the most shocking recent cases in Toms River, N.J. In that case, a woman was burned alive aboard a New York City subway train by an undocumented immigrant who reportedly sat and watched as she succumbed to her injuries. The tragedy, which drew national outrage, has been cited by proponents of the Laken Riley Act as evidence of the need for stricter measures to protect Americans from violent offenders.
As the bill heads to the Senate, attention will turn to Booker and Kim, who have historically aligned with Democratic policies on immigration. Their votes could be pivotal, as the bill faces resistance from Senate Democrats who have raised concerns about due process and the potential for overreach in deportation practices.
The debate over the Laken Riley Act has amplified partisan divisions over immigration and public safety, with Republicans framing the bill as a necessary step to protect Americans and Democrats warning of unintended consequences.
