President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday, declaring that he’s cracking down on ‘vicious criminals’ including the illegal migrant who killed the 22-year-old nursing student last year.
It is the first legislation he’s signed into law since he return to the White House.
The law, named after the slain Georgia nursing student, requires the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes.
The president was joined by Laken’s parents, Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips, at the signing and her sister Lauren.
‘So sad… we were together right after that happened, and it’s a tremendous tribute to your daughter what’s taken place today. That’s all I can say… but so sad we have to be doing it all,’ he added.
The new law will ensure that the ‘horrific atrocity’ will never happen again, Trump went on.
‘It’s landmark law that we’re doing today. It’s going to save countless innocent American lives.’
It also enables individual states to sue the federal government if it or its citizens are harmed by immigration related actions.
Riley, 22, was a student at Augusta University College of Nursing when she went out for a run on Feb. 22, 2024. She encountered Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally who killed her during a struggle. He was found guilty and ultimately sentenced to life in prison.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who co-sponsored the legislation, was spotted applauding during the formal ceremony while wearing his signature black hoodie.
He looked visibly emotional during the event, crossing his arms with a somber expression as Trump detailed the gruesome details of Riley’s death.
The president was joined by Laken’s parents, Jason Riley and Allyson Phillips, at the signing
John Fetterman applauds Trump at the White House as he takes swing at ‘vicious’ illegal migrants during Laken Riley Act signing
The new law will ensure that the ‘horrific atrocity’ will never happen again, Trump went on
Fetterman, who is known to split with his party on immigration and the Israel war, became the first Democrat senator to voice support for the GOP bill.
Shortly after Fetterman’s announcement, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., also said that he would support the act in the Senate. Many others soon followed like Sens. Ruben Gallego, Mark Kelly, Mark Warner and more.
Lawmakers who voted for the Laken Riley Act – including 48 House members and 12 Senate Democrats – were invited.
Laken’s name became a rallying cry for Republicans during the 2024 presidential campaign. During President Joe Biden’s final State of the Union Address, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, from Georgia, demanded that the president ‘say her name.’
Trump vowed during his campaign to crack down on illegal migration and used the fact Ibarra had a criminal record to slam the Biden administration.
Ibarra had been arrested for illegal entry in September 2022 near El Paso, Texas, amid an unprecedented surge in migration, and released to pursue his case in immigration court.
Additionally, he was arrested in New York for endangering a child and was cited in Georgia for shoplifting, but wasn’t detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before Riley’s murder.
Trump and Republicans put the blame for Riley’s death on Biden and his immigration policies.
The president has hinted there could be more legislation like this to come.
‘This shows the potential for additional enforcement bills that will help us crack down on criminal aliens and totally restore the rule of law in our country,’ Trump told House Republicans on Monday during a conference at his Miami Doral golf club.
Fetterman looked visibly upset during the event, crossing his arms with a somber expression as Trump detailed the gruesome details of Riley’s death.
Fetterman is one of only a handful of Democrats who voted for the bill
Jose Ibarra (right) was sentenced to life in prison for Laken Riley’s (left) murder
‘We’re tracking down the illegal alien criminals and we’re detaining them and we’re throwing them the hell out of our country,’ Trump said. ‘We have no apologies, and we’re moving forward very fast.’
The bill passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
Opponents argued it would strip due process rights for migrants.
