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19h ago

Laken Riley’s Family Endorses Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia Senate Race

Their statement cites his authorship of the Laken Riley Act, now law after bipartisan passage.

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Surrounded by members of Congress and the family of Laken Riley, U.S. President Donald Trump poses with the signed Laken Riley Act, the first piece of legislation passed during his second term in office, in the East Room of the White House on January 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Jason Riley and Allyson Philips, the parents of 22-year-old Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student who was murdered in 2024 by an undocumented immigrant, attended the signing ceremony. Among other measures, the law directs law enforcement authorities to detain and deport immigrants who are accused but not yet convicted of specific crimes, if they are in the country illegally. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Laken Riley’s mother, Allyson Riley, and stepfather, John Phillips, announced their endorsement of Collins on Aug. 18, praising his advocacy tied to their daughter’s case.
  • Collins and Sen. Katie Britt sponsored the Laken Riley Act, which cleared Congress with bipartisan support in January and was signed by President Trump on Jan. 29.
  • The law requires certain non-citizens arrested for offenses causing serious injury or death to be held without bail, including those who entered illegally or committed immigration fraud, with provisions that can apply even if charges are later dropped.
  • In their statement, Riley’s family blamed what they called “open borders” policies from the Biden administration and Georgia’s current senators and urged voters to elect Collins.
  • Collins is running to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026 and faces a Republican primary that includes Rep. Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley.