President Donald Trump is set to sign the Laken Riley Act into law, marking his administration's first piece of legislation. The act mandates the detention and potential deportation of individuals in the U.S. illegally who are accused of theft and violent crimes before being convicted.
The measure swiftly passed through Congress with bipartisan support, despite concerns from immigrant rights advocates about potential mass roundups for minor offenses like shoplifting.
President Trump, who has made cracking down on illegal immigration a central focus of his political agenda, sees the law as a step towards restoring the rule of law in the country.
The law is named after Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student tragically killed by an individual in the U.S. illegally. The act requires federal officials to detain immigrants arrested or charged with specific crimes, giving state attorneys general the ability to challenge federal immigration decisions.
Critics argue that the act could lead to chaos and cruelty without effectively addressing crime or reforming the outdated immigration system. Some Democrats have raised concerns about the law's constitutionality, while immigrant advocates fear mass detentions and the construction of new detention facilities.
Despite opposition, supporters of the act believe it is a necessary step to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law. The signing of the Laken Riley Act comes amidst a series of executive orders aimed at tightening border security and increasing deportations of undocumented immigrants.
President Trump remains steadfast in his commitment to enforcing immigration laws and removing criminal aliens from the country, emphasizing a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal immigration.
