President Trump Signs Laken Riley Act Into Law

On Wednesday afternoon, President Trump officially signed the Laken Riley Act into law.

The Laken Riley Act, which was passed by the House and Senate, “directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer.”

It’s named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed by an illegal alien while she was jogging at the University of Georgia.

As he signed the legislation, Trump shared, “This horrific atrocity should never have been allowed to happen. And as president, I’m fighting every single day to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”

President Donald J. Trump Signs the Laken Riley Act https://t.co/RtqjGGGrIU

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 29, 2025

Here’s what Fox News reported:

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law Wednesday, marking the first piece of legislation to become law in his second administration.

“This horrific atrocity should never have been allowed to happen,” Trump told reporters Wednesday ahead of signing the legislation. “And as president, I’m fighting every single day to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”

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The measure, which advanced through the House and Senate in January, directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer.

The law also allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their citizens because of illegal immigration.

Watch President Trump’s very personal reaction to Laken Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, as she describes through tears her daughter Laken who was tragically killed at the hands of an illegal from Venezuela who never should have been here. May God bless her memory. pic.twitter.com/xDq08LGjiV

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 29, 2025

Per NBC News:

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an immigration detention measure into law, marking his first legislative win days after he took office as the Republican-led Congress angles to execute his agenda.

The House gave its final approval of the bill in a 263-156 vote Wednesday, with 46 Democrats joining all Republicans in favor. The measure also passed the Senate on Monday in a 64-35 vote, with 12 Democrats breaking with their party to back it.

Trump opened his remarks with a victory lap, crediting his immigration agenda for his victory in the election and thanking the Republican and Democratic lawmakers who brought the bill to his desk.

“That’s why I’m here instead of somebody else. Actually, it’s the biggest reason,” Trump said in remarks in the East Wing of the White House, as touted what he called the “landmark” law that is “going to save countless innocent American lives.”

The president praised Riley as “a light of warmth and kindness,” thanking her parents and sister who attended the bill signing, and said the cause had brought together Democrats and Republicans.

“That’s not easy to do,” Trump said. “Laken did it. America will never ever forget Laken Hope Riley.”

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