One Sanctuary City’s Failure, One American Family’s Loss: RSC Members Sound the Alarm on the Costs of Sanctuary City Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  A recent New York Post op-ed sheds light on the dangers of sanctuary city policies and the devestating consequences they can have far beyond the communities that adopt them. Ethan Curreri, a former New York City police officer, penned the op-ed, after arresting Laken Riley’s murderer, Jose Ibarra, in New York City roughly six months before Riley’s murder. Ibarra was released following that arrest and later traveled to Georgia, where he murdered 22-year-old Laken Riley.

The tragedy underscores how policies in sanctuary cities can have devastating ramifications for families and communities hundreds of miles away. President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, which expands federal detention requirements for illegal immigrants charged with certain crimes in the United States. 156 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted against this legislation.

While the law represents an important step towards protecting Americans, there is still more work to be done. Democrats have repeatedly prioritized protections for illegal aliens over the safety and security of American citizens. Every Democrat voted against the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which helped codify border security gains, and the Secure America Act, which fully funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the end of the Trump Administration.

Here’s what Members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) had to say about the Laken Riley Act and the need for policies that put the safety of American citizens first:

“Sanctuary city policies are dangerous to all American communities. The nationwide uptick in leftwing leaders who disregard federal law and shield unlawful aliens from federal immigration enforcement is abhorrent. That’s why I was proud to co-lead the Laken Riley Act this Congress—which President Trump signed into law last year—but more work remains. As promised, House Republicans and the Trump Administration will continue our work to secure the border and root out the illegal sanctuary policies that put American lives at risk,” said Rep. Rick W. Allen (GA-12).

“As a Georgia Congressman, Laken Riley’s brutal murder hit especially close to home. It was a devastating reminder that the consequences of a broken border do not stay at the border — they can reach into our own backyards and destroy American families. I was proud to help get the Laken Riley Act across the finish line and signed into law, but that cannot be the end of our work. We must continue to back legislation that strengthens border security, empowers law enforcement, holds criminal illegal aliens accountable, and puts the safety of Americans first. We proved we can get meaningful legislation done — now we need to keep that momentum going and keep delivering for the American people,”said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07).

“Laken Riley would still be with us today if Joe Biden hadn’t opened a secure border to appease the radical left. These woke policies, like open borders and sanctuary cities, hurt Americans. House Republicans have helped President Trump lock down our border, and fought against the Democrats’ sanctuary cities in our country,” said Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08).

“The Laken Riley Act is a crucial step toward restoring accountability and protecting American communities by ensuring ICE can detain criminal illegal aliens. Laken’s killer should never have been released after committing crimes in the U.S., and tragically, her case is not isolated. Sanctuary city policies continue to put Americans at risk. We won’t stop fighting until our communities are safe and Americans can have confidence that our laws are being enforced,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“Republicans have secured the border, but because of four long years of Democrat control, criminal illegal aliens are roaming around our country, terrorizing our communities, and far Left sanctuary policies continue to put American families at risk. While House Republicans have passed legislation that addresses dangerous Democrat policies and protects Americans and Virginians, our work is far from over. We will not rest until our Nation is safe again,” said RSC Vice Chair Ben Cline (VA-06).

“The Biden Border Crisis showed us the dire consequences of allowing illegal aliens to roam free. Laken Riley should still be alive today, living out her American dream. Now, in her memory, the Laken Riley Act has helped ICE detain and deport over 20,000 of the worst of the worst. No more revolving doors. No more innocent Americans paying the price for failed immigration policies. In 2024, the American people gave us a mandate to secure this country, and that mandate has not expired. Congress cannot let this opportunity slip away. We have a duty to finish the job, and that starts with passing strong border policies that secure our country today and keep it secure for generations to come,” said Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14). 

“Laken Riley would be alive today if it were not for New York’s sanctuary and bail laws. Instead of being turned over to ICE, her murderer was released back onto our streets after committing a previous crime. Democrats’ sanctuary policies and soft-on-crime laws continue to put American citizens at risk. The Laken Riley Act would ensure criminal illegal immigrants are detained to prevent another innocent American from paying with their lives for Democrats’ reckless policies,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11).

“Laken Riley should still be alive today. Her murder was a tragic reminder of what happens when dangerous criminal illegal aliens are protected by sanctuary policies. I was proud to cosponsor the Laken Riley Act, but there is still more work to do. Democrats continue to put criminal illegals ahead of Americans. We need to continue passing commonsense laws that get criminals off our streets, support our law enforcement officers, and put the safety of the American people first,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02).

“The American Dream is to live, work, and raise a family in peace. These Sanctuary Cities provide a haven for bad actors who want to harm Americans. We must do everything we can to end these dangerous Sanctuary City policies in our country,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05).  

“Laken Riley’s murder was a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when dangerous criminals are protected by failed sanctuary policies,” said Congressman Downing. “I was proud to cosponsor the Laken Riley Act and see it signed into law, but our work is not finished. We must keep putting the safety of American citizens first and continue advancing legislation that holds criminal illegal aliens accountable,” said Rep. Troy Downing (MT-02).