Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., told Newsmax Friday, the Laken Riley Act, which he authored, is good solid legislation.
"It's a simple bill," Collins said on "National Report." "It's not a political bill. It's not a messaging bill. This is just good, solid legislation."
The Laken Riley Act requires federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes. The bill was named after Georgia nursing student Laken Riley who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.
"Laken was in Athens, Georgia," Collins said. "She lived in my district. It was very close to home. It was an honor to carry this bill."
Democrats voted with Republicans on Thursday to advance the legislation in the Senate after it passed the House of Representatives.
Collins said people like Laken Riley's killer are not coming to this country to assimilate.
"They are coming over here to spread their violence on the American people," Collins said. "It has made our community so much less safe. Laken, all she wanted to do was save lives. And this bill, when it passes, will continue to honor her name for forever because it will save lives."
Collins said he was pleased Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., supported the bill.
"We have been able to keep Laken's name out there, and we have made sure that the public … knows we can get something done to protect American citizens," Collins said. "Fetterman saw that. He understands that. He has a lot of good common sense to him, and I believe that is one of the reasons … that helped convince him this is good legislation."
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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