The Laken Riley Act, the first legislation of his administration, was signed by President Donald Trump Wednesday. He fulfilled his campaign promise that he would crackdown on illegal immigration.

The law allows for states to sue Homeland Security if illegal immigration causes harm. It also requires that federal immigration authorities detain any illegal immigrants accused of theft, burglary or assaulting an officer of law. The law is named in honor of a Georgia nursing student, aged 22, who was killed by an illegal Venezuelan immigrant in February 2024. This illegal immigrant had multiple arrests including shoplifting and child abuse.

The bill is part of an effort by the Republican Party to improve border security after a record number of illegal crossings. Under the Biden Administration, it is estimated that 8 million illegal migrants entered the United States. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 13,000 migrants who were convicted of murder are still at large.

Trump told a House Republican conference before signing the bill that “having a bill named after her… is a great honor.” This new crime, criminals, illegal aliens is massive. “The numbers are huge and you add it to the crime that we already have.”

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The bill passed the Republican-controlled Congress with bipartisan support earlier this month. It first cleared the House of Representatives last March with a bipartisan 251-170 vote but was blocked by the then-Democrat-controlled Senate.

Trump stated that the bipartisan support “shows potential for additional enforcement measures which will help us crackdown on criminal aliens, and restore the rule-of-law to our country”.

In a Wednesday morning statement, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania (Pa.), a participant at the signing ceremony in the White House reaffirmed his support. Fetterman stated, “I think a secure border will create a safer nation. It’s common sense.” “I think a stronger border is compatible with my commitment on immigration.”

Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Riley. He entered the United States illegally through El Paso, Texas in September 2022. One day after he was arrested, he was released on parole. He murdered Riley months later.

House Republicans introduced several border-security measures, including the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act and the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act. They also proposed to reduce federal funding to sanctuary cities who refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities.