Kemp, Collins Celebrate Signage of Laken Riley Act

Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) shared his thoughts on the passage of the first bill President Donald Trump (R) has signed into law, the Laken Riley Act. The bill immediately deports illegal immigrants who have been arrested for shoplifting, assault against police officers, and crimes that result in death or serious bodily injury.

It also grants states the ability to sue the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for injunctive relief if "immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens."

The bill is named in honor of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia student who was brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant in February of 2024. Her killer was sentenced to life in prison without parole in November.

Gov. Kemp stated that Laken would "be alive today" if former President Joe Biden (D) corralled the immigration crisis at the southern border during his administration.

"Laken Riley would’ve been alive today had the previous administration enforced our country’s immigration laws and secured our border," said Gov. Kemp. "Today, I join families across our state and nation in thanking @POTUS for signing the Laken Riley Act into law, honoring Laken’s memory in a way that will prevent future tragedies like the violent crime that took her life."

According to Fox News, President Trump told reporters ahead of signing the bill that "This horrific atrocity should never have been allowed to happen," and "And as president, I'm fighting every single day to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."

Moreover, NBC News reported Trump saying "That’s why I’m here instead of somebody else. Actually, it’s the biggest reason," and called the Laken Riley Act a "landmark" piece of legislation that is "going to save countless innocent American lives."

The Laken Riley Act was brought forth by Representative Mike Collins (R-GA) in the House and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) in the upper chamber.

After the bill was signed, Rep. Collins released a statement on social media, saying this bill will "finally bring justice" and ensure this tragic occurrence never happens again.

Moreover, Rep. Collins released a heartfelt message stating that this bill will "bring closure" to the Riley family and attempt to fix the broken immigration system that previous administrations and congresses have left behind.

“Nearly one year ago, Laken Riley’s life was taken by a career criminal illegal alien. Today, with the full support of President Trump, a bicameral group of Republicans and Democrats, and the American people, we were finally able to bring justice to the Riley family and ensure that this can never happen again,” said Rep. Collins.

He continued, “I am beyond grateful to President Trump for making the Laken Riley Act the first law signed under his presidency and finally giving closure to the Riley family. We’re committed to delivering commonsense solutions to fix our broken immigration system, and the Laken Riley Act delivers it.”

Finally, the Georgia congressman gave credit to the American citizens who called upon their elected officials to pass the Laken Riley Act, and it did in bipartisan fashion.

“Nothing meaningful happens in Washington, D.C. unless the people demand it,” continued Rep. Collins. “I am beyond grateful to the thousands of concerned citizens who called their representatives’ offices to demand that the Laken Riley Act pass and that these criminals be removed from their communities.”

President Trump entered the White House for the second time on Jan. 20.