Jan. 29 (UPI) — Migrants who commit theft and other crimes are subject to deportation after President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law Wednesday afternoon.
“Laken was a brilliant and beautiful 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia, the best in her class,” Trump said during a half-hour signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the White House.
“She was respected by everybody, even her teachers,” Trump said. “From the time she was in first grade, Laken knew she wanted to spend her time caring for others. That’s what she did.”
He said she went out for a job on the University of Georgia campus at 9 a.m. on Feb. 22 but never returned.
“While on her run, Laken was attacked, viciously assaulted, beaten, brutalized and murdered by an illegal alien gang member who was set loose in our country by the last administration,” Trump said.
“We are deeply honored to be joined today by Laken’s parents, Allyson Phillips and John Phillips, and her sister Lauren Phillips,” Trump said and thanked them for attending the signing ceremony.
Allyson Phillips briefly addressed the audience and media during the signing ceremony.
“Our family will forever be grateful for the prayers from the people across our nation and for helping get this legislation into law,” Allyson said.
“We’d also want to thank President Trump for the promises he made to us.” she said. “He said he would secure our borders and he never would forget Laken. He’s a man of his word.”
Allyson said she hopes the act will help save lives in the future.
Riley was murdered by undocumented Venezuelan migrant Jose Ibarra, 26, who was found guilty of 10 felony counts, including murder, in November.
He allegedly is a member of the Tren de Aragua gang that infiltrated the United States during the past four years.
The Laken Riley Act was passed with bipartisan support in Congress after Trump campaigned on a platform that included greatly reducing illegal immigration.
The act requires the secretary of Homeland Security to detain migrants who have been charged with theft or causing other financial harm to individuals or states totaling more than $100 and deport them when appropriate.
The act also requires an expedited process for civil action against migrants who cause such harms and allows for parole of offending migrants only on a case-by-case basis for “urgent humanitarian reasons” or a significant public benefit.
The Laken Riley Act is the first bill Trump signed into law during his second term as president.
