Trump signs Laken Riley Act into law as first piece of legislation
Trump signs Laken Riley Act into law
President Donald J. Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday. The new law requires people in the U.S. illegally to be detain and possibly deported if they are accused of theft or violent crimes. It was named after the Augusta University nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan national while jogging on UGA's campus. Trump also announced plans to send 30,000 migrants to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
ATLANTA - President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law, making it his administration’s first piece of legislation, according to the Associated Press. The act mandates the detention and potential deportation of immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes, even before conviction.
What we know:
The bill, named after 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed in 2024 by a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally, passed through Congress with bipartisan support despite criticism from immigrants’ rights groups.
The act requires federal officials to detain any immigrant arrested or charged with crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer, or causing injury or death. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by immigration policy decisions.
Laken Riley's murder
The backstory:
Laken Riley was killed in February 2024 while jogging, a tragedy that became central to the act's creation. The perpetrator, Jose Antonio Ibarra, was in the U.S. illegally and had multiple arrests and releases prior to the murder. He was convicted and sentenced to life without parole in November 2024.
Ibarra’s case highlighted issues within the immigration system, including instances of individuals being released while awaiting immigration court proceedings despite previous arrests.
Supporters, including Trump, have used the tragedy to emphasize their view that stricter immigration enforcement is necessary to prevent similar crimes.
What they're saying:
President Trump said the act is just the beginning of his administration’s efforts to restore law and order, stating, "This shows the potential for additional enforcement bills that will help us crack down on criminal aliens."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised the act, saying, "It’s always good when the right thing is also the popular thing."
Naureen Shah of the ACLU argued the act would lead to mass detentions for minor offenses, calling it part of a "mass deportation agenda."
Hannah Flamm of the International Refugee Assistance Project said the act conflates immigration with crime and violates basic rights, predicting legal challenges to its constitutionality and funding mechanisms for detention centers.
Trump and immigration
Big picture view:
The Laken Riley Act is part of a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which includes executive orders aimed at sealing the U.S.-Mexico border, canceling refugee resettlement, and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants.
Critics warn that such measures risk triggering mass detentions, overwhelming resources, and inciting legal challenges, while doing little to reform the long-outdated U.S. immigration system.
Laken Riley's death by illegal immigrant sparks political firestorm
While the prosecution in the murder trial against Jose Ibarra spent very little time discussing his immigration status, Laken Riley's death quickly grew into a political issue. Republicans, led by President-elect Trump, blamed the Biden Administration's border policies.
What's next:
Legal challenges are expected, focusing on the act’s mandatory detention policies, the broad authority granted to state attorneys general, and the potential for constitutional violations.
Immigration advocates plan to monitor and challenge the use of federal funds for building additional detention centers.
The act’s implementation and its impact on communities, law enforcement, and immigration policy will be closely scrutinized.
Why you should care:
The Laken Riley Act has significant implications for immigration policy, public safety, and federal-state relations.
The act could lead to widespread changes in how immigration cases are handled, affecting communities nationwide and sparking intense debate over civil liberties and public resources.