2025: Begich Voted For The Laken Riley Act Which Required Deportation Of Undocumented Immigrants Arrested For Theft And Related Criminal Offenses. In January 2025, Begich voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish grounds for inadmissibility (and thus deportation) of immigrants who have been charged with theft and other criminal offenses, including misdemeanors. It also would include assaulting law enforcement officers and harming others on the list of violations for which an immigrant could be deported. The measure also would allow states to sue the federal government for certain failures to enforce immigration rules or law." The House passed the bill by a vote of 263 to 156. [House Vote 23, [1/22/25]{.underline}; Congressional Quarterly, [1/22/25]{.underline}; Congressional Actions, [S. 5]{.underline}]
The Bill Was A Response To The Death Of Laken Riley, Who Was Killed By An Undocumented Immigrant That Was Released Following An Arrest For Theft. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Lawmakers voted 263-156 on the Senate-passed version of the bill (S 5), named the Laken Riley Act after a 22-year-old woman murdered last year by an undocumented immigrant who had been released after an arrest." [Congressional Quarterly, [1/22/25]{.underline}]
Under The Bill, A Detainer Would Be Issued For Undocumented Immigrants Arrested For Burglary, Theft, Shoplifting, Assault Of An Officer, Or If An Undocumented Immigrant Admits To Commiting A Crime. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The legislation would require the secretary of Homeland Security to issue a detainer for undocumented immigrants arrested for or convicted of burglary, theft or shoplifting. The Senate adopted an amendment from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that expanded the list of criminal offenses to include assaulting a police officer, as well as an amendment from Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, to require detention of undocumented immigrants if they admit to committing crimes." [Congressional Quarterly, [1/22/25]{.underline}]
2025: Begich Voted To Deport Any Immigrant Convicted For Sex Offenses. In January 2025, Begich voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would make foreign nationals inadmissible to, or deportable from, the United States if the person admits to or is convicted of certain sex offenses or other crimes involving domestic violence, stalking and child abuse or neglect. It also would subject to deportation, immigrants who have been convicted of a conspiracy to commit such an offense." The House passed the bill by a vote of 274 to 145. [House Vote 17, [1/16/25]{.underline}; Congressional Quarterly, [1/16/25]{.underline}; Congressional Actions, [H.R. 30]{.underline}]
2025: Begich Voted To Deport Any Immigrant Convicted For Theft. In January 2025, Begich voted for , according to Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish grounds for inadmissibility (and therefore deportation) for criminal offenses related to burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting -- regardless of whether the offense is categorized as a misdemeanor or a felony under federal, state or local law." The House passed the bill by a vote of 264 to 159. [House Vote 6, [1/7/25]{.underline}; Congressional Quarterly, [1/7/25]{.underline}; Congressional Actions, [H.R. 29]{.underline}]