Republicans pass 'Laken Riley Act' hours before Biden's State of the Union: 170 Democrats vote AGAINST bill to allow ICE to detain illegal migrants accused of theft after brutal murder of 22-year-old in Georgia

Following the tragic death of college student Laken Riley, Republicans passed a bill in her honor that would crack down on illegal migrants who break the law. 

The 'Laken Riley Act' which passed 251 to 170 requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain migrants who have been charged with theft and other crimes. Notably, 37 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure.

The bill is named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was recently discovered dead and disfigured on campus. 

Her alleged killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, is a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who is illegally in the country. Ibarra was arrested in New York for endangering a child and was cited in Georgia for shoplifting, but wasn't detained by ICE immediately before Riley's murder.

The bill passage came just hours before President Biden is set to come to the Capitol for his State of the Union speech. He is expected to blame Republicans for not voting on a Senate-led $118 billion bill to secure the border during remarks.

Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., urged President Biden to mention Laken Riley during his address this evening. 

Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, was arrested for the murder of Laken Riley and appeared in court on February 24th when he was formally charged with the young woman's murder

Officials have confirmed that Ibarra is not a US citizen and did not know or have any kind of relationship with Riley 

Notably, 37 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure

Riley 'was murdered by an illegal alien who never should've been allowed to cross into our country,' she said on the floor earlier Thursday. 

'Biden is neglecting the safety of American citizens. At the SOTU tonight, he should say her name,' Miller continued. 

The White House finally broke its silence on Riley's death days after she was killed sparking outrage nationwide. 

'We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Laken Hope Riley,' a White House official said in a statement to DailyMail.com at the end of last month.

'People should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law if they are found to be guilty. Given this is an active case, we would have to refer you to state law enforcement and ICE,' the White House official said. 

The statement notably left out any mention, by name, of illegal Venezuelan immigrant Ibarra.

Ibarra, since his 2022 entry into the U.S., has been cited for shoplifting and child endangerment.

The act would also enable individual states to sue the federal government if it or its citizens are harmed by immigration related actions.

The new legislation by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., would have required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain Ibarra after his first offense and before he could have the chance to attack Riley.

Collins represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, which contains the community where Riley was killed. 

The act would 'require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft, and for other purposes,' a copy of the bill obtained by DailyMail.com states. 

Just five months ago, Ibarra was arrested and charged 'with acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation,' according to ICE. 

Ibarra, who had been working for food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, was caught driving his wife's son on the back of a gas-powered moped without a helmet or restraint for the child in New York City.

The NYPD released him 'before a detainer could be issued,' the agency said.

New York City is also a 'sanctuary city,' which usually restricts law enforcement from complying with ICE detainers.

Rep. Mike Collins, who represents Athens, Georgia, in Congress, wrote the 'Laken Riley Act'

Jose Ibarra entered the U.S. in 2022 with his brother Diego, ICE confirmed

In 2022, Ibarra was charged with shoplifting at a Walmart in Athens, Georgia. 

However, he was allowed to remain in the country.

The 'Laken Riley Act' would have required Ibarra be detained after his shoplifting citation. 

The bill also contains phrasing condemning the Biden administration's handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. 

'Congress finds that the Nation— mourns the devastating loss of Laken Riley and other victims of the Biden administration's open borer policies; honors the life and memory of Laken Riley and other victims of the Biden administration's open borders policies.'