Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she “strongly supports” the Laken Riley Act currently before the U.S. Senate.

The bill, named for a Georgia nursing student who was murdered by a Venezuelan man who had entered the United States illegally, would require immigration enforcement agents to detain illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of theft-related crimes.

The legislation would also allow state attorneys general to bring legal action against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over immigration enforcement.

Capito spoke on the Senate floor Wednesday.

She said passage of the bill would amount to taking a “bold step for the safety and prosperity of American citizens.”

“The Laken Riley Act is the answer to a loud and clear call made at the ballot box by the American people to unite us as a country, put America first and to address the tragic lawlessness that we see on our southern border,” she said. “And so the Senate’s first order of legislative business, we are answering that call.”

Laken’s killer, 26-year-old José Antonio Ibarra, should have “never been allowed to roam free,” Capito said.

“Laken should be alive today, and she would be if her killer had been brought to justice before it was too late,” she said. “The Laken Riley Act, while too late to prevent Laken’s tragedy, is a targeted bill that will save countless others.”

The measure has bipartisan support, Capito said.

“Our Republican conference and caucus is completely unified behind the Laken Riley Act and we’ve managed to win over a majority of Senate Democrats for the bill’s initial consideration,” she said. “Including two who have signed on as co-sponsors.”

A Senate vote on the bill is expected later this week, Capito said.

“Now, more than ever, it is incumbent upon my colleagues and me to support America’s families and pass the strongest possible bill for our communities,” she said.

West Virginia Republican Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore each voted in favor of the U.S. House version of the Laken Riley Act.

“I voted yes on the Laken Riley Act to ensure criminal illegal immigrants are detained and deported before they commit more crimes against Americans,” Milller said in a social media post.