WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is set to enact the Laken Riley Act, marking his administration’s inaugural legislative venture. This new law, slated for signature later today, mandates the detention and potential deportation of undocumented individuals accused of theft and violent crimes prior to any court conviction.
The law, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia who was tragically killed in February 2024, swiftly moved through a Republican-majority Congress with some bipartisan support. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national residing illegally in the U.S., was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole last November.
The Laken Riley Act comes as part of Trump’s broader promise to implement what could become the largest mass deportation initiative in U.S. history. Known for leveraging the issue of illegal immigration to regain the White House, Trump has asserted that this legislation might be just the beginning of more stringent measures.
During a conference with House Republicans at his Doral golf club in Florida, Trump highlighted the measure’s broader potential. “This shows the potential for additional enforcement bills that will help us crack down on criminal aliens and totally restore the rule of law in our country,” he stated.
Critics argue that the act capitalizes on a personal tragedy to usher in policies that could lead to hasty detentions for even minor infractions like shoplifting, causing widespread distress and potential chaos. Proponents, however, view it as a step toward national security, emphasizing the need for a secure border.
The bill stipulates that federal authorities must detain any undocumented immigrant arrested or charged with specific crimes, including theft or assault on police officers, or crimes that result in injury or death. The act also enables state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by immigration decisions, which might allow conservative states a greater role in shaping national immigration policy.
Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., a cosponsor of the bill, supported its intentions. Fetterman, who plans to attend the signing ceremony, shared, “I believe a secure border creates a more secure nation and it’s just common sense,” going on to note his mandate to collaborate across party lines.
Despite the approval from some quarters, the bill’s constitutionality has been questioned by other lawmakers and immigration advocates who foresee massive new detentions requiring costly expansions in immigration detention facilities.
Critics like Naureen Shah, deputy director of government affairs in the equality division at the American Civil Liberties Union, warn of the broader agenda. “They don’t just get to celebrate. They get to use this for their mass deportation agenda,” Shah remarked. Additionally, Hannah Flamm from the International Refugee Assistance Project predicts that the bill’s provisions will not only be challenged in court but will also spark debates over federal funding for detention facilities.
As Trump continues to execute a slew of executive orders aimed at tightening U.S. border security and ramping up deportations, he remains unapologetic about his administration’s stringent stance on immigration. “We’re tracking down the illegal alien criminals and we’re detaining them and we’re throwing them the hell out of our country,” Trump declared. “We have no apologies, and we’re moving forward very fast.”
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