SE North Carolina News

President Donald Trump has signed the Laken Riley Act into law, marking the first bill he has signed since returning to office. The legislation was spearheaded by Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina and Senator Katie Britt of Alabama.

The act is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an illegal alien on the University of Georgia campus last year. The perpetrator had previously been arrested for theft and shoplifting but was released. The new law mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) must arrest illegal aliens who commit specific crimes such as assault on law enforcement, theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting and detain them until they are removed from the United States.

Representative Mike Collins from Georgia led the bill in the House.

Senator Budd expressed his views following the signing: “The American people sent a clear message on November 5th: It is time to return to law and order. President Trump pledged to make America safe again, and his signing of the Laken Riley Act is another promise kept."

Senator Britt also shared her thoughts: “Today, I was honored to join President Trump as he signed the Laken Riley Act into law. This landmark bill is historic for many reasons... I’m incredibly proud of the bipartisan, lifesaving legislation we were able to achieve."

The act aims to enhance border security and interior immigration enforcement in honor of Laken Riley's life.