
In a significant legislative development, President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law, marking the first major legislative achievement of his second term. The Act mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with specific crimes and grants states the authority to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
According to the AP News, the Laken Riley Act, named in honor of a Georgia nursing student who was tragically murdered by an undocumented immigrant, was initially introduced in the House of Representatives during the 118th Congress. After passing the House in March 2024, the bill faced obstacles in the then Democratic-controlled Senate. Reintroduced in the 119th Congress as H.R. 29 and S. 5, the Act successfully navigated both chambers, culminating in its passage and subsequent signing into law by President Trump.
“This horrific atrocity should never have been allowed to happen,” Trump told reporters before signing the legislation, according to Fox News. “And as president, I’m fighting every single day to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he went on.
The Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States and have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admit to committing acts constituting burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Additionally, it authorizes state governments to sue the federal government for decisions or failures related to immigration enforcement that result in harm to the state or its residents.
Proponents of the Laken Riley Act argue that it addresses criminal activity by undocumented immigrants and enhances public safety. The Act received bipartisan support, with 46 Democrats joining Republicans in the House for a 263-156 vote.
Critics of the law argue that since it allows for deportation based on accusations or charges alone, it could undermine migrants’ due process rights. Additionally, federal immigration authorities may require extra funding and resources to handle the increased number of arrests.
“These bills that the Republicans are throwing our way are so extreme that we should be able to get united Democratic opposition, but for the enormous amount of lies that are being pumped out by the president of the United States,” Representative Greg Casar, a Texas Democrat and chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said last Wednesday, as reported by the New York Times.
New York Democrat Rep. Alexandra Ocasio Cortez warned that the Act could lead to mass detentions and deportations, stating, “In the wake of tragedy we are seeing a fundamental erosion of our civil rights. In this bill, if a person is so much as accused of a crime if someone wants to point a finger and accuse someone of shoplifting, they would be rounded up and put into a private detention camp and sent out for deportation without a day in court,” as reported by the AP News.
The implementation of the Laken Riley Act is projected to be costly, with estimates suggesting an expenditure of $26.9 billion in the first year. GOP leaders have emphasized the need for additional funding to operationalize the Act’s provisions effectively.
The enactment of the Laken Riley Act signifies a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration policy, reflecting a shift toward stricter enforcement measures. As the law comes into effect, its impact on immigration enforcement and the broader legal landscape will be closely monitored by both supporters and opponents.