New GOP proposal builds off Laken Riley Act with slew of crimes targeting illegals

EXCLUSIVE: Legislation will be introduced Tuesday to expand the list of crimes that would require a migrant to be taken into custody.

The "Safeguarding American Property Act" would add arson, vandalism and trespassing to the crimes that would require those in the country illegally to be placed into federal custody.

"Property rights are a fundamental American value," Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont., said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Those who disregard our laws by committing acts of vandalism or trespassing on private property, especially those who broke our laws crossing our borders, must not be allowed to remain. This bill builds on the good work of the Laken Riley Act and takes another step toward reversing Biden's border crisis. I appreciate the support of the bill's cosponsors, and I look forward to getting this legislation passed into law to keep our communities safe," he continued.

Specifically, it would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Montana Republican's legislation is meant to help rural communities, which could have limited law enforcement resources to protect property. 

Many properties along the southern border faced damage as a result of the high volume of migrants that came across throughout the Biden administration, which triggered the state of Texas to create the Landowner Compensation Program to help repay those in agricultural communities.

Ibarra had been arrested in the past but was not taken into ICE custody, and he's now facing life behind bars.

Fox News' Diana Stacy contributed to this report.