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.
Marco Kasper notched two points for the Red Wings Thursday night, scoring one goal and picking up one assist in a 5-2 win over the Panthers.
Fantasy Impact:
Kasper has heated up in the offensive zone of late, picking up points in three of his last four games (three goals, three assists) for the Red Wings. The center will look to continue to turn around a disappointing start to the season as part of the Detroit lineup, recording 13 points (five goals, eight assists) to go along with 67 hits in 39 games so far this season.
In Thursday night’s game against the Panthers, Marco Kasper showed off his offensive skills by notching two points on the score sheet. The talented forward had a goal and an assist, helping his team secure a crucial win.
Kasper’s performance on the ice was nothing short of impressive, demonstrating his ability to contribute to both scoring and playmaking. His goal came at a crucial moment in the game, giving his team the lead and momentum they needed to come out on top.
Fans of Marco Kasper and the team are undoubtedly pleased with his performance, as he continues to be a key player in their success. With his strong work ethic and determination, it’s no surprise that Kasper was able to make an impact in Thursday’s game.
Stay tuned for more updates on Marco Kasper and his continued success on the ice. Congratulations to him on a stellar performance against the Panthers!
Cole Perfetti scored three goals — his first NHL hat trick — to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Friday night.
Nikolaj Ehlers, who had three points to reach 500 for his NHL career, and David Gustafsson also scored for Winnipeg.
Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz, on the power play, replied for Utah.
Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves for Winnipeg (33-14-3) at Canada Life Centre.
Connor Ingram stopped 25 shots for Utah (20-20-7).
Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck makes a second-period save on Utah’s Barrett Hayton, who is checked by Winnipeg defenceman Dylan DeMelo. (John Woods/The Canadian Press)
Ehlers’ 500th point came when he set Perfetti up for an empty-net goal.
Ehlers had scored on a breakaway with 7:44 left in the game to give the Jets an insurance goal at 4-2.
Perfetti had given Winnipeg a 3-2 when he lifted the puck over a fallen Ingram on a pass from Vlad Namestnikov at 5:51 of the third. Dylan DeMelo also assisted.
Hayton had tied the score at 2-2 early in the third. He took a pass from John Marino and fired a long shot past Hellebuyck. Clayton Keller also assisted.
Gustafsson took advantage of a bad bounce off the boards on a DeMelo shoot-in and fired the puck into the net vacated by Ingram to play the puck to give Winnipeg a 2-1 lead. DeMelo got credited for the lone assist.
Utah made it 1-1 on the power play early in the second. With Gabe Vilardi off for slashing late in the opening frame, Schmaltz deflected a Michael Kesserling point shot past Hellebuyck. Keller also assisted.
With Matias Maccelli off for holding, Perfetti snapped a one-timer past Ingram on a setup from Nikolaj Ehlers to open the scoring in the first. Vilardi also assisted.
Takeaways
Jets: Came out firing pucks and it paid off with a pair of slumping forwards scoring. They kept the pressure on, even after Utah tied the score early in th final frame.
Utah: Relied on Ingram to make many saves as the Jets just kept firing and managed to score on their rare chances. They may have tired in the third after playing in Minnesota on Thursday night.
Key moment
Ehlers stole the puck at his own blue line and raced down the ice on a breakaway and beat Ingram by sliding in a backhand with little more than seven minutes left in regulation.
Key stat
Perfetti’s hat trick snapped a 14-game goalless slump.
Up next
Winnipeg: Hosts the Calgary Flames in the second of a two-game homestand Sunday.
Utah: Plays the Senators in Ottawa on Sunday.
Last night, Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets had a night to remember as he scored his first career hat trick in a 5-2 victory over the Utah team.
Perfetti, who was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, showed why he is considered one of the top young talents in the league. His three goals showcased his skill, speed, and scoring ability, leaving fans and teammates in awe of his performance.
The Jets dominated the game from start to finish, with Perfetti leading the charge with his incredible offensive display. His hat trick was a testament to his hard work and dedication to improving his game, and it was a moment that will surely be remembered by Jets fans for years to come.
With this impressive win, the Jets have solidified their position in the standings and have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the league. And with players like Cole Perfetti leading the charge, the future looks bright for this talented team.
Smith chipped in 19 points (7-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday’s 110-105 win over Dallas.
Brandon Miller is out indefinitely with a wrist injury, and Smith looks poised to make a significant impact for Charlotte in the short term. In his previous start against the Bulls on Friday, Smith produced 15 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes. He’ll be a popular waiver-wire pickup for good reason.
In last night’s game, Nick Smith showed off his scoring prowess by notching an impressive 19 points in a crucial win for his team. Smith’s performance was a key factor in the team’s victory, as he consistently found ways to score and make plays for his teammates.
Fans were thrilled to see Smith’s offensive explosion, as he showcased his skills and ability to take over a game when needed. With this impressive showing, Smith has solidified himself as a top scorer in the league and a player to watch out for in future matchups.
Congratulations to Nick Smith on his standout performance and leading his team to victory! Stay tuned for more exciting updates on his stellar play. #NickSmith #Basketball #ScoringMachine #GameWinner
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
US energy group Venture Global has been valued at just above $60bn in its initial public offering, marking a climbdown from a much loftier target of more than $100bn.
The company priced its IPO at $25 a share, raising $1.75bn, according to a statement. It had said earlier this month that it was seeking to achieve a valuation of up to $110bn — more than oil major BP — before scaling back its offering this week.
People close to the deal said the size and timing of the cut underscored investors’ nervousness about elevated valuations in the US stock market, even as Wall Street bankers were gearing up for a flurry of flotations.
One potential investor said Venture Global’s bankers had walked them through its pricing rationale and why it was going with such a high multiple. “I pushed back on them initially and then they tried to insist that I was the odd one out and that all other investors were OK with the much higher multiple. Gaslighting at its best,” the person said.
Cole Smead, chief executive of Smead Capital Management, which has invested about $1.5bn in oil and gas companies but did not invest in the Venture Global IPO, added that raising money on public markets was particularly tough for companies in the energy sector.
Venture Global declined to comment.
The listing comes after US President Donald Trump this week ordered the restart of licensing for LNG terminals, ending a Joe Biden-era moratorium that had caused uproar among oil bosses.
Venture Global has built strong ties with the incoming administration. In April, chief executive Mike Sabel attended a dinner hosted at Mar-a-Lago for oil and gas executives, where Trump allegedly made a request for $1bn in campaign donations in return for ripping up environmental policies. The company contributed $1mn to Trump’s inauguration campaign.
Sabel and co-founder Robert Pender, who control 84 per cent of the company’s shares, pioneered modular construction of LNG facilities, which enables much of the prefabrication work on the giant facilities to be completed off-site to reduce costs and project delivery times.
Venture Global has earned a reputation as an upstart in the LNG industry, which has traditionally valued close relationships with foundation customers, who sign long-term supply contracts that enable companies to raise finance to build terminals.
But when Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused LNG prices to rocket, the company made a controversial decision to sell large amounts of product on spot markets, rather than honour long-term contracts. Shell, BP and several other foundation customers have filed arbitration claims worth $5bn against Venture Global, arguing it had reneged on long-term commitments to them to profit off the spot market.
The company, which operates two LNG terminals on the US Gulf coast, denies it broke any contracts.
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Bank of America acted as joint bookrunners for Venture Global’s IPO.
US energy group Venture Global has made waves in the market after notching up an impressive $60 billion valuation in its recent IPO. The company, known for its innovative approach to energy production, has captured the attention of investors and analysts alike with its ambitious growth plans and cutting-edge technology.
Venture Global’s success in the IPO market is a testament to the company’s strong leadership, strategic vision, and dedication to sustainability. With a focus on clean energy solutions, Venture Global is well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.
As the demand for renewable energy sources continues to grow, Venture Global’s valuation is a clear indicator of the market’s confidence in the company’s ability to meet this demand and drive positive change in the energy sector.
With this milestone achievement, Venture Global is poised to make a significant impact on the energy industry and solidify its position as a key player in the transition to a more sustainable future.
