Trump Signs Laken Riley Act Into Law

ATLANTA, GA — President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Laken Riley Act into law, imposing specific requirements on Homeland Security officials regarding immigrants who commit certain crimes, the Washington Post reported.

The new law honors Laken Riley, a student killed at the University of Georgia in February 2022, "in a way that will prevent future tragedies like the violent crime that took her life," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a Facebook post released around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Kemp praised Trump for signing the act.

Riley's family was at the signing ceremony, and Laken's mother, Allyson Riley, was moved to tears as Trump invited her to come forward to speak before he signed the legislation.

"He said he would secure our borders and that he would never forget about Laken," Allyson Riley said, according to a USA Today report. "And he hasn't because he's a man of his word."

A number of Georgia sheriffs also attended the signing ceremony held at the White House, including Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman.

“It is truly an honor to be invited by President Trump for the signing of the Laken Riley Act," Freeman said in a news release. “It is a privilege to represent the citizens of Forsyth County and the State of Georgia on the national stage.”

Authorities previously said 22-year-old 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.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, representing Georgia, said the Laken Riley Act is the first piece of legislation Trump signed since starting his second presidential term on Jan. 20.

"I am proud to announce that this historic moment will enshrine the Laken Riley Act into law," Greene tweeted. "... The signing of this bill today marks a pivotal step in preventing further senseless tragedies. The Laken Riley Act will ensure that no more innocent Americans suffer at the hands of illegal alien criminals. Laken was a beautiful, kind and inspiring young woman who touched countless lives. Her memory will live on, and our nation will never forget her. This law is for Laken ..."

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.

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