Trump Signs Laken Riley Act: First Legislative Victory of His Second Term
The new immigration law, named in honor of a murdered student, is aimed at increasing immigration detention and border security.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Laken Riley Act into law, marking the first significant legislative victory of his second term. The bill, which focuses on immigration detention, is named after Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student tragically murdered in Athens, Georgia, by a Venezuelan national who had entered the U.S. illegally. This act has garnered widespread support, with bipartisan backing from lawmakers across the aisle.
The measure, which passed the House in a 263-156 vote and the Senate in a 64-35 vote, was first introduced by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga. It mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented immigrants arrested for or convicted of crimes such as burglary, theft, and shoplifting.
Trump, speaking from the East Wing of the White House, praised the bill as a monumental step forward in his administration’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. “That’s why I’m here instead of somebody else. Actually, it’s the biggest reason,” Trump said, noting that his strong stance on immigration was key to his election victory. “This is a landmark law that is going to save countless innocent American lives.”
During the signing ceremony, Trump paid tribute to Laken Riley, calling her “a light of warmth and kindness.” He thanked her family for their support and remarked on how their advocacy had united lawmakers across party lines. “Laken did it. America will never, ever forget Laken Hope Riley,” Trump said.
Riley’s killer, who had been released from custody in both New York and Georgia prior to the fatal incident, was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The president referred to this case as a tragic example of the consequences of the current immigration policies.
Laken’s mother, Allyson Phillips, expressed her gratitude and hope that the law would prevent similar tragedies. “What we are hoping for is that her life saves lives,” Phillips said through tears, thanking Trump for fulfilling his promise to protect American citizens from criminal illegal aliens.
In addition to the Laken Riley Act, Trump announced plans to establish a 30,000-person migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, where he intends to house the most dangerous criminal illegal immigrants. “Some of them are so bad we don’t even trust the countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back,” Trump explained, emphasizing the need for a tough deterrent.
Trump also reiterated his commitment to reducing illegal immigration, pledging to deploy military and National Guard units to the southern border and continue his efforts to deport millions of individuals who entered the U.S. unlawfully. He urged Congress to provide full funding for his border security plans, emphasizing the need to end crime committed by “illegal alien killers, criminals.”
The passage of the Laken Riley Act represents a significant step in Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which continues to be a central issue in his administration. Despite opposition from some Democrats, particularly those in battleground states, the bill’s passage demonstrates the growing influence of immigration policy as a political issue in America.