Trump Signs Laken Riley Act to Crack Down on Criminal Illegal Immigrants

President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law, delivering a major victory for border security and law enforcement. The bill, which passed both the GOP-led House and Senate with bipartisan support, mandates that federal officials detain non-citizens charged with violent and theft-related crimes and allows states to sue over immigration enforcement failures.

This marks the first piece of legislation Trump has signed into law in his second term, a clear signal that securing America’s borders and protecting citizens from criminal illegal immigrants is a top priority.

The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, Jose Ibarra, who had previously been arrested but was released before federal authorities could detain him. Despite his criminal record, Ibarra was allowed to remain in the U.S., ultimately leading to Riley’s brutal murder.

At the White House signing ceremony, Trump honored Riley’s memory and vowed that tragedies like hers will not be repeated.

"To Laken’s family, we will keep Laken’s memory alive in our hearts forever. With today’s action, her name will also live forever in the laws of our country," Trump declared.

Riley’s family, Border Czar Tom Homan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, GOP lawmakers, and even Democrat Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) attended the ceremony. Riley’s mother, overcome with emotion, thanked Trump for taking action as she tearfully addressed the crowd.

The original version of the bill focused on theft-related crimes but was expanded by Republicans to include violent offenses, such as assaulting a police officer. Key provisions of the law include:

• Mandatory Detention: Non-citizens charged with or convicted of violent or theft-related crimes must be detained by federal authorities no more "catch and release."

• State Lawsuits Against Biden’s Open Border Policies: States now have the right to sue the federal government if immigration laws are not properly enforced.

• Targeting Repeat Criminal Offenders: The law ensures that criminal illegal aliens will no longer be allowed to walk free after committing crimes in the U.S.

Despite the bill receiving support from both sides of the aisle, many Democrats attempted to block it, warning that the law might detain non-citizens before they receive "due process" and claiming it would benefit private prisons.

But the American people aren’t buying the left’s usual excuses. This is about protecting U.S. citizens, not making life easier for illegal immigrants who break our laws.

Trump has long called for stronger immigration enforcement, and he personally met with Riley’s family on the campaign trail last year. When Ibarra was convicted in November, Trump posted:

"JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! Time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!"

With the Laken Riley Act now law, Trump is delivering on his promise to put American citizens first and ensure that criminal illegal aliens face justice instead of freedom.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates with fellow patriots who demand strong borders and real accountability.