President Trump has done it. What he is about to sign is a long time coming.
Because a bill is on Donald Trump’s desk that will transform the nation forever.
The Laken Riley Act: A Landmark Step in Trump’s Immigration Agenda
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the final version of the Laken Riley Act, marking a significant milestone in President Donald Trump’s second term. The bill, which will now head to the president’s desk for signature, is poised to become the first law of his second term. The House voted 263–156 in favor of the legislation, with 46 Democrats joining Republicans to support a measure that would require federal agents to detain illegal immigrants arrested for theft and other related crimes until they are deported.
This legislative victory is a crucial step in Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls, especially for illegal immigrants involved in criminal activities. Once signed into law, the Laken Riley Act will further his mission to reduce illegal immigration and ensure that criminals who are in the U.S. illegally face immediate deportation. The bipartisan support for the bill is a reflection of a growing shift in public opinion toward the president’s aggressive stance on immigration, particularly in response to the increasing need for measures to secure the southern border.
The Laken Riley Act is named in honor of Laken Riley, a nursing student who tragically lost her life last February in Athens, Georgia. Riley was m*rdered while jogging near the University of Georgia campus by Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant. Ibarra had been arrested earlier in 2023 in New York for behavior that put a child in harm’s way, but he was released before federal agents could intervene.
🚨BREAKING: The Laken Riley Act is on its way to President Trump's desk for his signature. pic.twitter.com/gAR3ba7LYs
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) January 22, 2025
Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison in November 2024 for the kidnapping, assault, and m*rder of Riley. His release prior to committing the brutal crime highlighted a serious gap in the enforcement of immigration laws, prompting lawmakers like Representative Mike Collins (R., Ga.), who represents the district where the crime took place, to take action. Collins, alongside Senator Katie Britt (R., Ala.), spearheaded efforts to get the Laken Riley Act passed.
Collins expressed his gratitude for the bipartisan efforts that led to the bill’s passage. “At long last, the Laken Riley Act is on its way to the White House to be signed into law by President Trump,” Collins said in a statement. “While we cannot bring her back, I am grateful to so many, including Senator Katie Britt, who fought for meaningful change to prevent this from happening to another American family.”
Bipartisan Support for Immigration Reform
The Laken Riley Act’s success in both the House and Senate reflects a broader shift in the political landscape, as more Democrats have begun to align with Trump’s tough stance on immigration. In the Senate, twelve Democrats joined Republicans in passing a slightly amended version of the bill earlier this week, ensuring it had the votes necessary to overcome a potential filibuster. These Democrats largely represent swing states that Trump won in the 2024 election, helping him secure a decisive victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The bipartisan nature of this bill signifies a growing consensus on the importance of securing the southern border and holding criminals accountable for their actions. This cooperation, particularly from Democrats, comes at a time when public opinion has increasingly favored stronger enforcement measures to combat illegal immigration and its associated risks.
Even though the bill enjoyed some bipartisan support with some Democrats feeling forced to support the common sense bill, some Democrats derided the bill saying that it puts a “target” on the backs of illegal immigrants. Of course, many Americans simply don’t have sympathy for illegal immigrants who are violent criminals, because that’s how tragedies like Laken Riley happen in the first place. Radical “progressive” Democrat Representative Rashida Tlaib called the legislation “shameful.”
President Trump’s actions on day one of his second term set the tone for his administration’s approach to immigration. He declared the southern border a national emergency, authorized military assistance to bolster immigration and customs enforcement efforts, suspended refugee resettlement programs, and took steps to end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants — an issue that is expected to face legal challenges in the coming months.
The first bill on its way to President Trump's desk, a tribute to Laken Riley and her family. ❤️
Promises made, promises kept. https://t.co/9UFiYKXlTJ pic.twitter.com/R6Fzj1V0sr
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) January 22, 2025
The administration has already begun implementing mass deportations, with a focus on violent criminals and national security threats. Border czar Tom Homan revealed on Wednesday that there had been 766 apprehensions at the border within the 24 hours following Trump’s inauguration, a stark contrast to the more lenient immigration policies of the previous administration.
As Trump prepares to sign the Laken Riley Act into law, it’s clear that his second term will continue to be marked by a tough stance on illegal immigration and a commitment to securing the southern border. The passing of this bill, alongside other efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement, signals that the administration is not backing down from its goal to reduce illegal immigration and hold criminals accountable — regardless of their legal status.
In the end, while the Laken Riley Act may not bring Laken Riley back to her family, it offers a tangible policy change that lawmakers hope will prevent future tragedies and provide a sense of justice to families affected by illegal immigration-related crimes. As President Trump prepares to sign it into law, the act stands as a testament to the power of bipartisan cooperation in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.
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