The Laken Riley Act is set to become the first piece of legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump since the Republican Party regained control of Congress and the White House. In a decisive show of unity, the GOP is making clear that addressing illegal immigration is a top priority, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises to strengthen border security and enforce immigration laws.
The bill sailed through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in a 263-156 vote, marking the second time this month it passed the chamber. In its initial vote on January 7, it garnered 264 votes, with all Republicans in favor and 48 Democrats crossing party lines to back the measure. The Senate also approved the bill by a 64-35 vote, amending it to include provisions that specifically target illegal immigrants who assault law enforcement officers or cause severe harm or death to others.
Today, with my colleagues from Georgia, I signed the Laken Riley Act.
It’s now at the White House, where it will be signed into law by President Trump.
Criminal illegal aliens must be detained, deported, and NEVER allowed back into our country. pic.twitter.com/3LC3WYe5aa
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 23, 2025
The core of the Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes and gives states the ability to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused by illegal immigration. While Democrats have largely opposed the bill, citing concerns over deporting individuals accused but not convicted of crimes, supporters argue that the act addresses those who are already violating U.S. immigration laws. The growing Democratic support, with two more Democrats voting for the bill than in the earlier vote, reflects a shifting sentiment in light of public pressure for immigration reform.
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., who led the bill, noted that the momentum behind the act stems from grassroots demands. “Nothing ever happens in this town up here until the American people demand it,” Collins told Fox News Digital, emphasizing the widespread frustration with the ongoing border crisis.
A particularly emotional component of the bill’s journey is its connection to individual tragedies caused by illegal immigration. The legislation is named after Laken Riley, a nursing student at the University of Georgia who was murdered by Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant with a prior arrest record who was never detained by ICE.
The act also incorporates Sarah’s Law, an amendment championed by Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver who was also in the country illegally. Feenstra highlighted the importance of ensuring swift justice for American victims and their families, remarking, “Sarah’s Law not only delivered justice for the Root family but also ensures that any illegal immigrant who harms or kills an American citizen is swiftly detained and prosecuted.”
JUST NOW: The House has passed S.5–The @RepMikeCollins Laken Riley Act.
This bill ensures ALL CRIMINAL ILLEGALS like Laken Riley’s murderer will be arrested, detained & eventually REPATRIATED.
S.5 will advance to the President’s desk & BECOME LAW.
156 DEMOCRATS STILL VOTED NO. pic.twitter.com/Hd138m6lR3
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) January 22, 2025
This legislative push comes alongside a flurry of executive orders from President Trump aimed at bolstering border security and cracking down on illegal immigration. By positioning the Laken Riley Act as the first bill of this new legislative era, Republicans are making a bold statement about their priorities and their commitment to translating Trump’s promises into long-lasting policy. With ICE enforcement at its core, this bill signals a shift in the immigration debate, addressing concerns that resonate deeply with American voters demanding action.
