Trump Signs Laken Riley Act Into Law

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed into law the “Laken Riley Act,” a bill that requires federal officials to arrest non-U.S. nationals accused of violent and theft-related crimes in the United States.

The immigration legislation was passed through the GOP-led House and Senate with bipartisan support. It is the first bill that Trump has signed into law during his nascent second term in the White House. Under the law, the Homeland Security Department is directed to detain “certain aliens” charged with, convicted of, or who admit to certain theft-related or violent offenses. It also authorizes states to sue over immigration enforcement.

🚨 Trump signs the Laken Riley Act, his first bill signed into law as the 47th President. pic.twitter.com/dZECmVaY34

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 29, 2025

Laken Riley was a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was killed last year. An illegal immigrant from Venezuela, Jose Ibarra, was convicted of murdering Riley and sentenced to life in prison. Amid the ensuing national outcry, it was revealed that Ibarra had been previously arrested for other offenses, but he was released in New York before federal authorities could issue a detainer.

“To Laken’s family, we will keep Laken’s memory alive in our hearts forever,” Trump said at a signing ceremony at the White House. “Everyone’s hearts. With today’s action, her name will also live forever in the laws of our country. And this is a very important law. This is something that has brought Democrats and Republicans together — that’s not easy to do. Laken did it. Laken did it. America will never, ever forget Laken Hope Riley.”

"Laken's name will live forever in the laws of our country.

America will never, ever forget Laken Hope Riley."@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/87v2cox691

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) January 29, 2025

Border czar Tom Homan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, GOP lawmakers, and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) were in attendance, as were members of Riley’s family. The Daily Wire’s Mary Margaret Olohan recorded video of Riley’s mother weeping as she delivered remarks, thanking Trump and the lawmakers who sponsored the bill.

Laken Riley’s mother weeps as she thanks President Trump for keeping his promises and honoring the memory of her daughter: pic.twitter.com/HhxPIpmhzq

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) January 29, 2025

On the campaign trail last year, Trump met with family and friends of Riley. He also posted on social media when Ibarra was convicted in November on 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with intent to rape Riley. “JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY!,” Trump exclaimed, adding that it was “time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!”

The “Laken Riley Act” initially focused solely on theft-related crimes for the detention requirement, in addition to empowering states to sue over alleged immigration infractions. Both chambers of Congress ultimately passed the bill with GOP amendments that added violent offenses, including assault of a police officer, to the detention section.

Although the legislation received bipartisan support, Democrat opponents warned that non-citizens simply accused of crimes might not get due process if it became law and that it would be a boon to private prisons.