President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday, marking the first legislative achievement of his new administration. The law mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain illegal immigrants who are arrested or charged with theft-related crimes or accused of assaulting a police officer. Additionally, it grants states the authority to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens due to illegal immigration.
The act is named in honor of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was tragically killed while jogging on the University of Georgia’s campus. Her assailant, Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant with prior arrests who had not been detained by ICE, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
The legislation garnered bipartisan support, passing the House with all Republicans and 48 Democrats in favor, and the Senate with unanimous Republican backing and 12 Democrats supporting.
Today, I’m celebrating the Laken Riley Act being signed into law. pic.twitter.com/gqorOJJ6kQ
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) January 29, 2025
Today, we honored Laken Riley’s memory.
We took action to protect American families. Honored to be with President Trump alongside @MikeCollinsGA to sign the Laken Riley Act into law. pic.twitter.com/yVtYytOekf
— Katie Britt (@KatieBrittforAL) January 29, 2025
Today, President Trump is signing the first bill of his second administration and the first piece of legislation passed by the 119th Congress.
I am proud to announce that this historic moment will enshrine the Laken Riley Act into law.
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing… pic.twitter.com/G6RBGUc0HN
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) January 29, 2025
An incredibly POWERFUL moment, as the mother of Laken Riley thanks the American people for their support and thanks President Trump.
“He’s a man of his word.”
Yes, he is.
The Laken Riley Act is NOW LAW.
The Homeland is being SECURED.Promises Kept. pic.twitter.com/knPDcWFvvC
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) January 29, 2025
Watch the clip below:
BREAKING: Pres. Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act. The bill approves a series of initiatives meant to tackle Trump’s key goal of curbing illegal immigration. https://t.co/lOCWKQUxqw pic.twitter.com/MfMtng32V6
— ABC News (@ABC) January 29, 2025
