Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced the signing of the Laken Riley Act into law by President Trump. This legislation mandates U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain migrants who commit theft-related crimes, including those leading to bodily harm or death, until they are deported from the United States. The act includes an amendment from Senator Cornyn requiring ICE to detain illegal immigrants who assault law enforcement officers.

Senator Cornyn attended the signing ceremony at the White House and expressed his gratitude: “Laken Riley’s death will not be forgotten, and I’m grateful President Trump signed this historic bill into law to honor her legacy and prioritize making our nation safe again,” he stated. He emphasized that with his amendment, the law aims to protect law enforcement personnel and enhance safety for Texans and communities nationwide.

The act is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old killed while jogging on the University of Georgia campus on February 22, 2024. Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national and member of the Tren de Aragua gang, was convicted of ten criminal charges including felony murder in November 2024. Ibarra had been released into the U.S. interior by the Biden administration after entering illegally.

Last year, Senator Cornyn wrote to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas questioning why Ibarra was granted parole into the country.

Besides mandating ICE actions against illegal migrants committing specific crimes, the Laken Riley Act allows states to initiate civil actions against federal agencies that violate or fail to enforce immigration laws.