Laken Riley Act, Named For GA Slain Jogger, Heads To Trump For Signing

ATHENS, GA — The Laken Riley Act has headed to President Donald Trump's desk after clearing Congress on Wednesday.

Once signed into law by Trump, the act would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain specific non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested and charged on suspicion of burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting. Anyone in the U.S. without "the necessary documents when applying for admission" would also be detained, according to the bill.

It would also allow states to sue federal officials for "alleged failures related to immigrant enforcement," the act stated.

The GOP-backed bill is named after Laken Riley, a jogger who was killed last February at the University of Georgia's intramural fields.

Authorities previously said 22-year-old Laken Riley died of blunt force trauma at the hands of Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan citizen.

Riley was a student at the College of Nursing campus in Athens. She had gone for an early morning jog, and when she did not return home, a friend reported her missing.

Authorities previously accused Ibarra of disfiguring Riley's skull before reportedly dragging her to a secluded area in an effort to conceal her death.

In November, Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard sentenced Ibarra to life in prison after finding him guilty of several charges, including malice murder and felony murder.

The Laken Riley Act originated in the House, with the support of Georgia-based Rep. Mike Collins, before ultimately clearing Congress.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones on Thursday professed his support for the act on X.

"Laken tragically lost her life and while we can never bring her back, the Laken Riley Act will save lives and ensure her legacy lives on forever. Thank you @RepMikeCollins, Congress and President @realDonaldTrump for prioritizing this legislation. I support this Act, which solidifies that as we have done in Georgia, this new Administration will put Americans first and hold illegal immigrants who commit crimes accountable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Laken’s family today and everyday," Jones tweeted.

It was not immediately know if or when Trump intended to sign the bill.

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