Trump signs Laken Riley Act, marking next phase of immigration crackdown

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday, marking a significant step in his administration’s intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration. The bill, the first signed by Trump in his second term, mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes, including some misdemeanors, even before conviction.

“Today’s signing brings us one step closer to eradicating the scourge of migrant crime in our communities once and for all,” Trump declared during the signing ceremony at the White House.

The legislation, which received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, aligns with Trump’s long-standing campaign promise to strengthen immigration enforcement. The bill is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student whose tragic death became a focal point in the national immigration debate leading up to the 2024 presidential election.

The Laken Riley Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take immediate custody of undocumented immigrants charged with crimes such as burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, or assaulting a law enforcement officer. Notably, these individuals can be detained before any legal conviction is reached.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the law’s provisions, stating on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that it is simply enforcing existing immigration laws. “If an individual is here illegally—whether they crossed the border unlawfully, overstayed a visa, or re-entered after deportation—they will be subject to deportation,” Leavitt explained.

Despite support from some Democratic lawmakers, others criticized the law’s broad scope. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin labeled it as “incredibly cruel and inhumane,” arguing that it undermines the fundamental legal principle of presumed innocence until proven guilty. “This bill authorizes the largest expansion of mandatory detention in decades for anyone even suspected or accused of shoplifting,” Baldwin stated, warning that it could divert resources from targeting violent criminals and suspected terrorists.

The bill’s namesake, Laken Riley, was murdered in February 2024 near Atlanta by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant first arrested in 2022 for illegal entry. Ibarra had been allowed to remain in the country while his immigration case was processed. Convicted in late 2024, he is now serving a life sentence without parole.

“Her name will now live forever in the laws of our country,” Trump stated, embracing Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, who expressed gratitude for the law’s passage. “President Trump promised he wouldn’t forget Laken, and he is a man of his word,” Phillips said.

While the law’s supporters argue it will enhance public safety, concerns over its financial implications loom large. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) estimated that full implementation of the Laken Riley Act alone could cost up to $27 billion in its first year—far exceeding the initially projected $3.2 billion. The agency warned that it would need to expand detention capacity to 151,500 beds, a significant increase from current levels.

Additionally, the law allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states are being harmed by inadequate immigration enforcement. It also empowers states to take legal action against DHS for alleged failures in handling immigration cases.

The signing of the Laken Riley Act is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under Trump’s leadership. Within his first week back in office, he signed ten executive orders aimed at tightening border security and expediting deportations.

Newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has already joined law enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, she participated in an ICE raid in New York City that led to multiple arrests.

“One of my top priorities is achieving President Trump’s mandate to secure our southern border and fix our broken immigration system,” Noem said. “We will once again empower law enforcement to remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from our country.”

Trump also announced plans to issue an executive order allowing the Department of Defense and DHS to use Guantanamo Bay as a detention facility for undocumented immigrants deemed to pose serious threats.

“We have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” Trump stated. “Some of these individuals are so dangerous that we don’t even trust their home countries to keep them in custody. So, we’re going to send them to Guantanamo.”

As the administration moves forward with its aggressive immigration policies, legal and financial challenges are expected to arise. While supporters argue the Laken Riley Act strengthens national security and prevents future tragedies, critics fear it sets a dangerous precedent by undermining due process and expanding mandatory detention.

With immigration remaining one of the most divisive issues in American politics, the implementation of this law is likely to fuel further debate in the months ahead.