A new law mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, along with other provisions.
President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act on January 29, marking his first legislative win in his administration’s hardline immigration agenda, according to The Guardian.
The law requires the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related offenses and allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states are harmed by the administration’s failure to enforce immigration laws.
The Laken Riley Act is named after a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia who was murdered in 2023 by Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela.
In November 2023, Ibarra was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Trump’s Remarks at the White House
Speaking at the White House on January 29, Trump stated:
“We will forever remember Laken. With today’s law, her name will be enshrined in our nation’s laws forever. This is a very important piece of legislation. It has brought Democrats and Republicans together—something that’s not easy to do. Laken made that happen.”
Addressing Riley’s family in the audience, Trump added:
“I’ve passed many bills, many pieces of legislation, but I have never seen the kind of support that you have today—the kind of support that your incredible daughter has today. I’ve never seen anything like it. And we have to thank her for that, because she is going to save countless lives.”
He then invited Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, to speak.
Riley’s Mother Speaks
"We want to thank President Trump for the promises he has made to us," Phillips said. "He said he would secure our borders and that he would never forget Laken. He is a man of his word, and we believe he will fight for the American people."
She added:
“No law can bring back our precious Laken... But our hope is that her memory will save the lives of others.”
Criticism from Immigration Advocates
Immigrant rights groups strongly oppose the legislation, warning of its broad detention mandates.
Sarah Mehta, a senior border policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), criticized the law:
“This is an extreme law that will result in one of the largest expansions of mandatory detention in decades—affecting even children, longtime U.S. residents, parents of American citizen children, and others whom ICE itself has deemed unworthy of detention.”
She also argued that the law “does nothing to improve our broken immigration system.”
Mari Urbina, executive director of the Indivisible advocacy group, also denounced the bill:
"Reinforcing the Republican Party’s anti-immigrant message and handing them an easy political victory is not what we should be doing," she told The Guardian.
"Immigration policy has long been a Republican talking point, using immigrants as scapegoats to consolidate power while failing to offer real solutions. Democrats should not be playing into this strategy."
Trump’s Broader Immigration Crackdown
Since taking office earlier this month, Trump has signed multiple anti-immigration orders, including a directive to end birthright citizenship, though a federal judge has temporarily blocked that policy.
(Sources: The Guardian, Reuters, CNN)
Hello Shuttle will strive to bring the latest updates. At the end of the day.
Are you looking for reliable airport and cruise port transfer services in Los Angeles?
We offer professional, safe, and punctual transportation from
Los Angeles Airport - LAX
Long Beach Airport - LGB
John Wayne Airport - SNA
San Pedro cruise port
Long Beach cruise port
Disneyland
and other destinations.
Let us make your journey stress-free and comfortable with our dedicated drivers and high-quality vehicles. Book now for the perfect travel experience at www.helloshuttle.com or call 944-800-5678!
