Trump Signs Laken Riley Act as His First Legislation
President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, marking the first piece of legislation of his new term. The law mandates that authorities detain illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes and allows states to sue the federal government for damages caused by illegal immigration.
The signing follows a series of immigration-related executive orders, including one that designates drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations.
The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered in February 2024 by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally. Ibarra, who had prior theft-related charges, was convicted of murder in November and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
During the signing ceremony, Trump paid tribute to Riley, calling her “beautiful” and expressing condolences to her family. He criticised the Biden administration, blaming its immigration policies for allowing Ibarra into the country.
“To Laken’s family, we will keep Laken’s memory alive. America will never forget Laken Hope Riley,” Trump stated.
The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, assaulting a police officer, or committing offences that result in injury or death. It also grants states the power to sue the federal government for damages resulting from immigration policies that fail to protect citizens.
Riley’s mother, Allyson Philips, spoke at the event, thanking Trump for honouring her daughter’s memory.
“President Trump is a man of his word,” she said. “Most importantly, I want to thank our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Without His sacrifice, Laken’s story would have ended on that horrific day. But because of Him, we know we will see Laken again.”
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Trump also met with Angel Families—relatives of individuals murdered by illegal immigrants—including the family of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five who was raped and killed in August 2023.
“They have suffered tremendously,” Trump said, calling previous immigration policies “weak” and “heartless.”
Since returning to office, Trump has prioritised border security, signing multiple executive orders to curb illegal immigration. These measures include declaring a national emergency at the southern border, deploying additional military personnel, and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations.
Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar, reinforced the administration’s stance against cartels, stating, “We’re taking them out of the trafficking, smuggling, and drug business. We’re going to dismantle these people and wipe them off the face of the Earth.”
Also, with the Laken Riley Act now signed into law, the administration is reinforcing its commitment to stricter immigration enforcement. Riley’s mother concluded with a tearful statement: “Our hope moving forward is that her life saves lives.”
Content Credit| Kemi Arowolo
Picture Credit | https://www.brookings.edu/
