Show-Me State Times

In a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned Adam Isacson, a witness invited by Senate Democrats. The focus was on Isacson's testimony, which encouraged senators to oppose legislation aimed at detaining criminal illegal migrants.

Senator Hawley addressed the issue of Laken Riley’s death, stating: “[Laken Riley’s] death is not an actual issue? . . . I just want to make sure the record’s clear on this: The spokesman for the minority party is advising the Senate that the Laken Riley Act is a bad idea.”

He further emphasized his point by saying, “The spokesman for the minority party is saying that Laken Riley’s death and migrant crime is not an actual issue. . . . [Laken Riley] is dead because of migrant crime.”

Hawley also challenged Isacson's description of the Trump-era Remain in Mexico program as a “policy of death.” He remarked, “I wish the Remain in Mexico program had still been in effect when the killer of Travis Wolfe crossed the border. He might still be alive today.”

During the hearing, Senator Hawley defended his new legislation named "Travis’s Law," honoring Travis Wolfe, a 12-year-old from Missouri who died in a collision caused by a criminal illegal alien. This legislation aims to prevent illegal aliens who commit crimes against children from being released.

Earlier this week, despite Isacson's objections, the Senate advanced passage of the Laken Riley Act with significant support. Co-sponsored by Senator Hawley, this bill mandates Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal aliens involved in burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.