Oregon’s U.S. House delegation was divided Tuesday on a controversial immigration bill that would require immigration officials to detain undocumented individuals charged with theft.
The Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented man, passed the House with bipartisan support—most Republicans and 48 Democrats voting in favor.
Among Oregon’s delegation, U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, a Democrat, was one of two state Democrats to support the bill. Hoyle, who voted against a more partisan version last year, explained her decision:
“I came here to represent my constituents,” she told KLCC. “They’re rightly concerned about public safety and immigration.”
Hoyle was joined by Happy Valley Democrat Janelle Bynum and Eastern Oregon Republican Cliff Bentz in voting for the measure, which now heads to the Senate. In contrast, Oregon Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Maxine Dexter, and Andrea Salinas opposed the bill.
Bynum, who narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Lori Chavez-DeRemer in last year’s election, faced immigration as a key campaign issue. Similarly, Hoyle’s Republican challenger, Monique DeSpain, criticized her during the campaign for being “soft” on fentanyl traffickers.
Hoyle emphasized her ongoing commitment to immigration reform, particularly bipartisan solutions.
Support Safe Route Immigration Today
