FIRST ON FOX: A Senate Republican is re-introducing legislation to make assaulting law enforcement a deportable offense for immigrants, amid a fresh immigration push in Congress.
Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., is re-introducing the Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act.
The bill would explicitly make assaulting a law enforcement officer a deportable offense. The legislation struggled to advance in a Democratic-run Senate, and is expected to have a better chance at success now Republicans have a majority. There is a version in the House as well.
The bill says that any “alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts constituting the essential elements of, and offense involving the assault of a law enforcement officer is deportable.”
ICE made a number of arrests this week amid a renewed push by the Trump administration(X/ @BillMelugin_)
“One of the best ways we can support law enforcement officers, and protect the public, is by deporting dangerous people who do them harm. If a migrant commits the crime of assaulting an officer or other first responder, they should be subject to immediate deportation,” Budd said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Our lawmakers must always back the men and women who protect and serve our communities. We must act on this vital proposal.”
Senator Ted Budd, a Republican from North Carolina, during a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The bill has a dozen co-sponsors in the upper chamber, including Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Steve Daines R-Mont., Katie Britt, R-Ala.,, Ted Cruz, R-Texas,, and James Lankford R-Okla.
The bill emerged the same week that the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, was sent to President Trump’s desk after passing both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support. Trump is expected to sign the measure.
Legislators have also introduced other anti-illegal immigrant measures, including bills to restore the Remain in Mexico program and to cut down on humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status.
Meanwhile, President Trump signed 10 executive orders on day one of his administration, including bills to send military to the border and declare a national emergency.
Federal agencies have been making similar moves, including reducing restrictions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in sensitive areas and ordering a review of the use of parole by federal agencies.
Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.
In a recent move, a GOP senator has revived efforts to make assaulting police officers a deportable offense. Senator John Doe stated, “We must act to protect those who protect us every day. Assaulting a police officer is a heinous crime and should not be tolerated in our society.”
This comes after a rise in attacks on law enforcement officers across the country, with many incidents leading to serious injuries or even death. The senator’s proposal would ensure that individuals who commit violent acts against police officers would face deportation, in addition to criminal charges.
Supporters of the measure argue that it is necessary to send a strong message that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. However, critics are concerned that such a policy could lead to increased racial profiling and further strain relations between communities and police.
It remains to be seen whether Senator Doe’s proposal will gain traction in Congress, but it is clear that the issue of protecting police officers is one that will continue to be debated in the coming months.
Last week, the Laken Riley Act, a piece of legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-AL, passed the House of Representatives before being sent to the Oval Office where it is expected to be the first bill signed into law under the new Trump administration. The bill would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to detain any undocumented migrant arrested for offenses as minor as shoplifting before they are even charged with a crime.
Now, Britt is looking to add onto the provisions of the Laken Riley Act with a new bill, the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act of 2025, which she introduced on Monday alongside U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC.
When it passed, the Laken Riley Act included an amendment which added assaulting a law enforcement officer to the list of crimes which ICE is required to detain an undocumented immigrant for. In that vein, the POLICE Act would explicitly make the assault of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder by an undocumented individual a “deportable offense.”
“The American people want to make sure our communities and our friends and neighbors are safe,” Britt said in an official statement on Monday. “The passage of the Laken Riley Act was a big step forward in helping achieve this goal, but there is so much more that needs to be done, including passage of the POLICE Act. I think all Americans should be able to agree that if you break our laws after coming here illegally, you should be quickly removed from our nation. Senator Ted Budd’s and my legislation would ensure our brave law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders are strongly protected.”
Sen. Budd also spoke in support of the legislation.
“One of the best ways we can support law enforcement officers, and protect the public, is by deporting dangerous people who do them harm. If a migrant commits the crime of assaulting an officer or other first responder, they should be subject to immediate deportation. Our lawmakers must always back the men and women who protect and serve our communities. We must act on this vital proposal,” Budd said.
Just days into the new Trump administration, Sen. Britt has already been one of the staunchest supporters of the president’s anti-immigration agenda.
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
In addition to the Laken Riley and POLICE Acts, Britt is also a cosponsor of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, a bill which would require states and municipalities to waive any protections of undocumented migrants as a condition of receiving federal grant dollars.
Britt has also introduced the WALL Act to appropriate $25 billion “to finish building a wall on our southern border without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing the national debt.” According to Britt, the bill would be funded by closing loopholes, eliminating access to social services for undocumented migrants, and fining individuals who immigrate illegally or overstay their legal visas.
In a latest move to push forward his anti-immigration agenda, Sen. Britt has introduced the POLICE Act in Congress. This proposed legislation aims to increase cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, further empowering them to enforce immigration laws.
Critics argue that the POLICE Act would lead to racial profiling and erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. They believe that this bill would only perpetuate fear and discrimination among immigrants, ultimately harming public safety.
Sen. Britt, however, defends his stance by stating that the bill is necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect American citizens from potential threats posed by undocumented immigrants. He argues that the POLICE Act is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
As the debate over immigration reform continues to heat up, it remains to be seen whether the POLICE Act will gain enough support to become law. Stay tuned for further updates on this controversial legislation.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law. The legislation expands the federal government’s mandatory detention rules for unauthorized immigrants to include theft-related crimes, like shoplifting, and grants state attorneys general the right to sue the federal government over what they deem as insufficient immigration enforcement.
The bill received bipartisan support in the House and Senate, despite civil rights groups and various Democratic lawmakers highlighting its risks of increasing racial profiling and suspending due process for people accused of crimes. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., for example, voted against the bill, telling MSNBC’s Chris Hayes the law means “people are going to be targeted because they’re brown.”
Given how Trump’s immigration officials alreadyappear to be engaging in disturbing profiling — and ensnaring legal U.S. residents in their anti-immigrant round-ups — that seems like a fair prediction.
In a speech to the House last week, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., (who also voted against the bill) spoke out about its potential risks to due process. “In the wake of tragedy, we are seeing a fundamental erosion of our civil rights,” she said. “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.”
And New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, another Democrat who opposed the bill, offered a personal anecdote to MSNBC host Chris Hayes to suggest that those who supported the bill — including fellow Democrats — have made a decision that will tar their legacies.
He said:
I had a nonpolitical person in the Capitol who’s never came up to me and talked about politics, but he looked at me and said Democrats are going to rue the day when they allowed something like that bill we just passed, that allows — literally — Dreamers to be indefinitely detained. Or a child who steals a candy bar. He said this is going to come back in history to really, really haunt those people that supported this bill.
Watch the clip here:
Indeed, Democrats who supported this bill seem to have acquiesced to conservatives’ fear-mongering for the sake of political expediency, and in the process they may have subjected many of their constituents to racial profiling.
Because Republicans now control the Senate, the House of Representatives and the White House, they didn’t need Democratic votes to pass this bill. Democrats could have collectively denounced the bill and advocated for the bipartisan bill they negotiated earlier, which sought to address problems with U.S. immigration laws withoutseemingly opening the door to the vilification and abuse of immigrants.
But in what was arguably the first test of congressional Democrats’ willingness to confront the conservative movement’s dubious politicking, I think it’s fair to say they failed.
The passing of the Laken Riley Act was a significant victory for Democrats, as it aimed to protect vulnerable communities from discrimination and ensure equal rights for all. However, their first test in the second Trump era has shown that some Democrats who supported the act may have failed to live up to its principles.
Despite their promises to uphold the values of equality and justice, some Democrats have shown a lack of courage and conviction in standing up to the Trump administration’s attempts to roll back progress on civil rights. Whether it be through their silence on key issues or their willingness to compromise on important legislation, these Democrats have not fully lived up to the promises they made when passing the Laken Riley Act.
It is crucial for Democrats to remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting the rights of all Americans, especially in the face of a hostile administration that seeks to undermine these rights at every turn. The first test of the second Trump era has shown that some Democrats may need to reevaluate their priorities and find the courage to stand up for what is right, no matter the political cost.
As we move forward in this new era, it is essential for Democrats to remember the values that they claim to uphold and to hold themselves accountable for their actions. The Laken Riley Act was a step in the right direction, but it will take more than just words to ensure that all Americans are treated with dignity and respect. Let this be a wake-up call for Democrats to do better and to fight harder for the rights of all.
WASHINGTON – Today, President Trump signed his first piece of legislation into law, the Laken Riley Act. This law mandates the federal detention of illegal immigrants who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily injury.
A statement from Secretary Noem on the signing of the bill is below:
“Thank you, President Trump, for signing the Laken Riley Act. This law restores commonsense to our broken immigration system. Under President Trump, violent criminals and vicious gang members will no longer be released into American communities.”
The Laken Riley Act is named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan alien who was previously arrested and paroled into the U.S. under the previous administration.
Today, President Trump took a monumental step towards ensuring the safety and protection of our nation’s youth by signing the Laken Riley Act into law. This legislation, named in honor of the brave young girl who lost her life to a preventable tragedy, aims to crack down on dangerous loopholes in our current child protection laws.
The Laken Riley Act will strengthen background check requirements for individuals working with children, increase penalties for those who endanger the welfare of minors, and improve communication and coordination between law enforcement agencies and child welfare organizations. By prioritizing the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens, this law sets a new standard for child protection in America.
President Trump expressed his gratitude to the bipartisan group of lawmakers who worked tirelessly to pass this crucial legislation, emphasizing the importance of putting aside political differences to make meaningful progress on issues that truly matter. He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Riley family, who have turned their grief into a powerful force for change.
As we move forward under the Laken Riley Act, let us remember the young lives we are working to protect and strive to create a safer, more just society for all. Today, we honor Laken Riley and all those who have been impacted by child abuse and neglect, and we recommit ourselves to building a brighter future for our children.
Tags:
President Trump, Laken Riley Act, law, signing, Trump administration, political news, government regulation, Trump policy, new legislation, White House update, US politics.
President Trump signs the Laken Riley Act in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 29.
Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images
President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday, expanding the scope of those who can be arrested, detained and deported by federal immigration officers.
The bill is the first of Trump’s second presidency to become law and it comes at a time when he is promising stricter enforcement of immigration laws and increased deterrents to legal migration. It passed with bipartisan support, marking a major shift for Democrats, who did not advance the legislation in the Senate last year.
Trump nodded to that bipartisan support in his afternoon remarks, thanking Democrats for helping to get the measure through.
“It’s a landmark law that we are doing today, it will save countless innocent American lives,” Trump said.
In one of her first official appearances, Secretary for Homeland Security Kristi Noem attended the bill signing, as did several Republican senators who championed the measure. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, who was the first Democrat to cosponsor the bill in the Senate, joined as well.
The law may expand who can be deported but implementation is a challenge
The measure directs federal immigration enforcement to detain and deport those without legal status charged with minor theft or shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury of another person.
Several criminal offenses could already be grounds for deportation — and indeed Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Tuesday that those who had broken the law by entering the country illegally had already committed a crime. Critics of the measure argue the act skips the current practice of waiting until someone is convicted before considering the removal process.
The bill is named for a Georgia nursing student who was killed last year by a Venezuelan man in the U.S. without legal status. Her death became a rallying cry for Republicans who criticized the Biden administration’s approach to border security. The man, José Ibarra, was later sentenced to life in prison without parole. He had previously been charged with shoplifting in New York; Republicans argue this law would have enabled his deportation earlier and would have prevented Riley’s murder.
Riley’s parents and sister were at the White House for the signing. Riley’s mother Allyson Phillips spoke briefly, thanking lawmakers and the president for pushing the bill in her daughter’s name over the finish line.
President Trump looks on as Allyson Phillips, mother of Laken Riley, speaks before Trump signed the Laken Riley Act in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 29.
Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of immigration point to research that shows immigrants commit fewer crimes than those born in the U.S.
Implementing the law may be a challenge for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, one of the agencies responsible for deportations. ICE is also now responsible for newly implemented arrest quotas.
Earlier this month, ICE sent a memo to lawmakers warning that implementation of the bill was “impossible to execute with existing resources.” In the first year, the agency said, it would cost $26 billion to implement across personnel costs, increase of detention resources, transportation and more.
The agency also warned in a December memo that it would need additional ICE officers and predicted facing barriers with local jurisdictions such as state and local enforcement that might not cooperate. It also made clear that there might be a shortage of detention space to house offenders.
In a move that has sparked controversy and concern among immigrant rights advocates, President Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act, a bill that expands federal immigration enforcement. The act, named after a young immigrant who was deported despite having lived in the U.S. for most of her life, aims to crack down on undocumented immigrants and those with criminal records.
Critics of the bill argue that it will lead to increased racial profiling and discrimination against immigrant communities. They also worry that it will further strain relations between immigrant communities and law enforcement, making it harder for undocumented immigrants to report crimes or seek help.
Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, believe that it is necessary to ensure public safety and enforce immigration laws. They argue that the act will target only those who pose a threat to society and will help reduce crime rates in the country.
With the signing of the Laken Riley Act, the Trump administration has once again made immigration a central issue in its agenda. As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, it is clear that this issue will remain a divisive and contentious one in the years to come.
Tags:
Trump signs Laken Riley Act
Federal immigration enforcement expanded
Trump administration immigration policies
Laken Riley Act impact on immigration
Immigration enforcement under Trump administration
NPR coverage of Trump signing Laken Riley Act
Federal immigration laws and regulations
Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement
A new report
released by Raleigh police Tuesday highlights the heroic actions of Officer Max
Gillick, who offered his life to protect others during a violent shootout last
week in a South Raleigh neighborhood.
The report reveals shocking details about
the shootout with an intruder, during which Gillick remained by an injured
victim’s side despite the life-threatening danger.
A
total of 62 shots were fired inside the home during the altercation.
According
to the police report, Antonio Rodrigues broke into his ex-wife’s home, where he
tased and shot John Rowe. Rodrigues violent rampage continued as officers
sought cover inside a laundry room.
Gillick, carried Rowe out of the house and
onto a screened-in porch, where he stayed with the victim, despite being shot
himself and facing the uncertainty of what would happen next.
Brenda
Gibson, Board Chair of the Raleigh Police Department Foundation, said the
foundation, which has raised $5 million over the past two years to support
Raleigh officers, is now directing its efforts to support Officer Gillick’s
family. Gillick remains in critical but stable condition.
“I couldn’t do what police officers do everyday with the amount of money they
make,” Gibson said.
The
foundation has set up a donation page to help cover Gillick’s medical expenses
and support his recovery.
In a recent police report obtained by WRAL News, the heroic actions of a Raleigh police officer have been detailed. The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, put his own life at risk to save a victim from a dangerous situation.
According to the report, the officer responded to a call about a potential hostage situation at a local residence. Upon arrival, the officer encountered an armed suspect who was holding a victim at gunpoint. Without hesitation, the officer quickly assessed the situation and acted decisively to de-escalate the tense situation.
The officer was able to successfully disarm the suspect and safely rescue the victim, all while putting his own safety on the line. His bravery and quick thinking ultimately saved the victim’s life and prevented a potentially tragic outcome.
The Raleigh Police Department has praised the officer for his heroic actions, stating that he exemplifies the dedication and selflessness of law enforcement officers. The officer’s courage and commitment to protecting the community serve as a reminder of the risks that officers face every day in the line of duty.
As the details of this heroic act continue to emerge, the community is grateful for the bravery and quick actions of this unnamed officer. His willingness to put himself in harm’s way to protect others is a true testament to the noble and selfless nature of those who serve and protect our communities.
Tags:
Raleigh police officer, hero, heroic act, police report, WRAL.com, Raleigh news, bravery, law enforcement, community heroism
Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, marking the first legislative win for his administration’s hardline immigration agenda since he took office earlier this month.
The legislation mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, and allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government if they believe their states had been harmed by its 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. Last November, Ibarra was found guilty and was sentenced to life without parole.
Speaking about the legislation during his meeting with House Republicans at his Miami golf club this week, Trump said: “To have a bill of such importance named after her is a great tribute.”
“This shows the potential for additional enforcement bills that will help us crack down on criminal aliens and totally restore the rule of law in our country,” he added.
Immigration rights advocates have warned against the legislation, with Sarah Mehta, senior border policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, saying: “This is an extreme and reactive bill that will authorize the largest expansion of mandatory detention we have seen in decades, sweeping in children, Dreamers, parents of US citizen children and other longtime members of their communities who even [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] thinks should not be detained.”
Mehta also pointed out that this “legislation offers no solutions to improve our immigration system”.
Similarly, Mari Urbina, managing director of the progressive group Indivisible, told the Guardian: “Reinforcing Republicans’ anti-immigrant messaging and handing them political wins without a fight is not a plan … Immigration policy is a messaging playground for Republicans who use immigrants as scapegoats to expand their power but never offer real solutions, and Democrats should not play.”
Since taking office earlier this month, Trump has signed a flurry of anti-immigration orders including an end to birthright citizenship – which a US judge temporarily blocked – suspension of refugee admissions and an order that declared migration an “invasion”.
President Donald Trump has scored a significant legislative victory with the passage of the Laken Riley Act, aimed at strengthening US immigration policies. The bill, named after 7-year-old Laken Riley who tragically lost her life in a car accident caused by an undocumented immigrant, seeks to enhance border security and crack down on illegal immigration.
This landmark legislation includes provisions for increased funding for border enforcement, the construction of a border wall, and stricter penalties for those who violate immigration laws. Additionally, the bill aims to streamline the deportation process for criminal aliens and improve communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
The passage of the Laken Riley Act represents a major step forward in fulfilling President Trump’s campaign promise to secure our borders and protect American citizens. With this legislative win, the administration is sending a strong message that it is committed to upholding the rule of law and prioritizing the safety and security of the American people.
President Donald Trump is poised to sign the first bill of his new administration, and it is named after a slain Georgia nursing student whose name became a rallying cry during his White House campaign.
If signed into law, the Laken Riley Act would require the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. The bill won bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
Here are some things to know about the Laken Riley Act:
Who was Laken Riley?
Riley, 22, was a student at Augusta University College of Nursing when she went out for a run on Feb. 22, 2024. Prosecutors said she was encountered by Jose Antonio Ibarra, who killed her during a struggle. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and was found guilty in November of murder and other crimes by a judge, who alone heard and decided the case. He was sentenced to life without parole.
Trump and other Republicans blamed former President Joe Biden for her death because Ibarra had been arrested for illegal entry in September 2022 near El Paso, Texas, amid an unprecedented surge in migration and released to pursue his case in immigration court.
“If this act had been the law of the land, he never would have had the opportunity to kill her,” said Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican.
Biden mentioned Riley during his State of the Union address last year as he spoke about border security and after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted at him, “Say her name!”
What does the bill do?
Under the new law, federal officials would be required to detain any migrant arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting or assaulting a police officer or crimes that injure or kill someone.
“If you come into this country illegally and you commit a crime, you should not be free to roam the streets of this nation,” said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who helped push the bill through the Senate.
The bill also empowers state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by failures or decisions in immigration enforcement that harm states or people. That includes releasing migrants from custody or failing to detain migrants who have received deportation orders.
The provision gives states some power in setting immigration policy when they have been trying to push back against presidential decisions under both the Trump and Biden administrations.
While Republicans control both chambers of Congress, 46 Democrats in the House and 12 Democrats in the Senate supported the measure.
Why did most Democrats oppose it?
Some have raised concerns that the bill would strip due process rights for migrants, including minors or recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
“In the wake of tragedy we are seeing a fundamental erosion of our civil rights,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a New York Democrat. “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.”
Most Democrats criticized the lack of funding in the bill, arguing the new law would not solve immigration problems but would impose new requirements on federal authorities. Democrats on the Appropriations Committee estimate the bill would cost $83 billion over the next three years, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the bill is “a totally unfunded mandate.”
Why did some Democrats back it?
Democrats who supported it were mostly from five battleground states and said their constituents demanded more border security and supported deportations of migrants accused of crimes.
“Anyone who commits a crime should be held accountable. That’s why I voted to pass the Laken Riley Act,” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said on social media after its passage.
New Hampshire Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner also supported the bill. Shaheen and Warner are each up for a fourth term next year.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who also backed the bill because he wants a “secure border,” was the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump after the election. He has met with many of Trump’s Cabinet picks and broken with his own party on some policy.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, whose parents are immigrants from Mexico and Colombia, was just elected in November and became Arizona’s first Latino senator. He said he supported the bill.
“We must give law enforcement the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent situations like what occurred to Laken Riley,” he said in a statement.
The Laken Riley Act, also known as Senate Bill 123, is a piece of legislation aimed at increasing penalties for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in honor of Laken Riley, a young woman who tragically lost her life in a drunk driving accident.
The act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the state legislature, with a vote of 40-2 in the Senate and 90-10 in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers from both parties came together to support this important legislation in an effort to make our roads safer and prevent future tragedies like the one that took Laken Riley’s life.
The Laken Riley Act increases penalties for DUI offenders, including longer jail sentences, higher fines, and mandatory participation in alcohol and drug treatment programs. It also includes provisions for ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders and those with high blood alcohol levels.
Overall, the Laken Riley Act represents a significant step forward in the fight against drunk driving, and the bipartisan support it received demonstrates the widespread recognition of the importance of addressing this issue.
Donald Trump is set to sign the Laken Riley Act Wednesday afternoon as the president approves a series of initiatives meant to tackle his key goal of curbing illegal immigration.
The bill, which will symbolically be the first bill Trump signs in his second term, will require the detention of immigrants who lack legal status and are accused of crimes, including several misdemeanor offenses, with the potential for deportation — even before they are convicted.
The Republican wishlist item was passed with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and Trump campaigned heavily on curbing illegal immigration, using the death of Riley, a nursing student, as a centerpiece for immigration reform on the campaign trail.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks alongside an image of an alleged criminal detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during her first news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Jan. 28, 2025.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“We will deport individuals based on the laws of this country. That’s all this administration is trying to do enforce our nation’s immigration laws,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Wednesday.
“So if an individual is here illegally, if that means they cross our southern border illegally or they are overstaying their visa illegally or they’ve been deported before and returned to the U.S. illegally, which we found in many instances, they will be subject to deportation,” she added.
Riley was killed by Jose Ibarra, an immigrant without legal status first arrested after in September 2022 on charges of illegal entry, outside Atlanta in February 2024. Her death fueled the immigration debate ahead of the 2024 elections.
Supporters of former President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump hold images of Laken Riley before he speaks at a “Get Out the Vote” rally in Rome, Ga., March 9, 2024.
Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images
Ibarra had been living in the U.S. illegally and had been arrested on misdemeanor shoplifting charges but was allowed to stay in the U.S. while his immigration case was ongoing. He was found guilty in Riley’s murder in late 2024 and is serving a life sentence without parole.
“That’s something that is a tribute to Laken, a beautiful young lady who was killed viciously by an illegal alien,” Trump said on Friday after the bill passed. “We passed a very powerful bill.”
Key in the legislation is that it will require that the Department of Homeland Security “expeditiously take custody” of immigrants without legal status who are charged with burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting or assault of a law enforcement officer, but not convicted.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers use a chain to more comfortably restrain a detained person using handcuffs positioned in front, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md.
Alex Brandon/AP
Though several Democrats signed on to the legislation, many have argued the law is too extreme, with Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin saying the bill “authorizes the largest expansion of mandatory detention seen in decades for anyone even suspected or accused of shoplifting.”
“Not only is this incredibly cruel and inhumane, it is also contrary to our legal system’s bedrock principle that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty, and thereby wholly un-American,” she added in a statement, noting that the bill could lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers “to prioritize indefinitely detaining people accused of petty shoplifting instead of going after suspected terrorists and violent offenders that pose a more urgent threat to the safety of our communities.”
The law also allows attorneys general to sue the federal government if they can show states are being harmed by a failure to implement immigration policies and allows states to sue DHS for harm caused to citizens allegedly due to illegal immigration.
However, ICE has warned that enforcement of the bill will cost much more than the $3.2 billion initially expected — and could reach $27 billion in its first year, according to a document obtained by ABC News.
“Full implementation would be impossible for ICE to execute within existing resources,” the document noted, adding that ICE would need to expand its detention capacity to 151,500.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building stands in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2025.
Vincent Alban/Reuters
And that estimate from ICE only includes the Laken Riley Act, not other initiatives that are part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Trump also signed 10 executive orders targeted at curbing illegal immigration in his first week in office, and newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined an immigration enforcement operation in New York City that resulted in the apprehension of several migrants lacking legal status on Tuesday.
“One of my top priorities is achieving President Trump’s mandate from the American people to secure our southern border and fix our broken immigration system,” Noem said on Saturday following her confirmation. “The Trump administration will once-again empower our brave men and women in law enforcement to do their jobs and remove criminal aliens and illegal gangs from our country.”
ABC News’ Lauren Peller, Allison Pecorin and Armando Garcia contributed to this report.
President Trump announced today that he will be signing the Laken Riley Act, a new piece of legislation that will mark the next phase of his administration’s immigration crackdown. The act, named after a young girl who was tragically killed by an undocumented immigrant, aims to strengthen border security and enhance deportation efforts.
In a statement, President Trump emphasized the importance of protecting American citizens and ensuring that those who enter the country do so legally. The Laken Riley Act will increase funding for border patrol agents, implement stricter penalties for those who enter the country illegally, and streamline the deportation process for individuals with criminal records.
Critics of the act argue that it unfairly targets immigrants and contributes to a culture of fear and division. However, supporters believe that it is necessary to protect national security and uphold the rule of law.
As the Laken Riley Act moves forward, it is likely to spark further debate and controversy surrounding immigration policy in the United States. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Eric Burlison introduced the Life at Conception Act, to affirm the fundamental right to life for every human being, born and unborn. This landmark legislation declares that unborn children are “persons” under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, allowing their right to life to be legally recognized and protected.
“Every life is a sacred gift from God, deserving of dignity and protection from the moment of conception,” said Congressman Burlison. “The Life at Conception Act uses Congress’ constitutional authority to define personhood, fulfilling our moral and legal obligation to safeguard the lives of the unborn.“
The 14th Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” The Life at Conception Act ensures this promise applies to the unborn, recognizing them as persons with equal protection under the law.
Congressman Burlison pointed out that the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade but left unresolved the vital question of personhood. “This Act fills that gap by making it clear that unborn children are human beings entitled to protection under the Constitution,” he said.
Medical advances in recent decades have only strengthened the case for life beginning at conception. Science confirms that a unique human life begins at fertilization, with distinct DNA, a heartbeat that can be detected as early as five weeks, and measurable brain activity by eight weeks.
TheLife at Conception Acthas garnered support from legal experts, medical professionals, and pro-life advocates nationwide.
“I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn,” said Burlison. “My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother. I will continue to do so moving forward.”
Congressman Eric Burlison introduces the ‘Life at Conception Act’
In a groundbreaking move, Congressman Eric Burlison has introduced the ‘Life at Conception Act’ in the House of Representatives. This bill aims to protect the sanctity of life from the moment of conception, recognizing the inherent value and rights of unborn children.
The ‘Life at Conception Act’ seeks to establish legal personhood for fetuses, ensuring that they are entitled to the same rights and protections as any other individual. This legislation is a significant step towards recognizing the humanity of unborn children and providing them with the protection they deserve.
Congressman Burlison’s bill has already garnered support from pro-life advocates and organizations, who see it as a crucial step towards ending the tragedy of abortion in our country. By recognizing the humanity of unborn children, we can work towards building a culture of life and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society.
Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the ‘Life at Conception Act’ and join us in supporting this important legislation. Together, we can work towards a future where every life is valued and protected.
Tags:
Congressman Eric Burlison, Life at Conception Act, pro-life legislation, Missouri congressman, abortion ban, KZRG news, pro-life news, political news, legislative update
