President Trump Signs Laken Riley Act into Law

The law requires authorities to detain noncitizens accused of specific crimes, including theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any offense resulting in serious injury or death.

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, marking the first piece of legislation enacted under his current administration. The law requires federal authorities to detain any noncitizens accused of specific crimes, including theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any offense resulting in serious bodily injury or death.

The bill is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia who was tragically killed by a Venezuelan migrant after going for a jog off-campus. The suspect had previously been arrested and later paroled into the United States.

Following the bill’s passage, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem released a statement supporting the measure.

“Thank you, President Trump, for signing the Laken Riley Act. This law restores commonsense to our broken immigration system. Under President Trump, violent criminals and vicious gang members will no longer be released into American communities,” Noem stated.

The law’s supporters argue that it strengthens public safety and closes gaps in the immigration system by ensuring that individuals accused of serious crimes remain in custody. However, critics have expressed concerns over potential legal challenges and the broader implications for immigration policy.