President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, marking the first bill of his second term as part of a broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration.
The new law mandates that federal authorities detain undocumented immigrants accused of crimes—including certain misdemeanors—pending potential deportation, even before a conviction.
“Today’s signing brings us one step closer to eradicating the scourge of migrant crime in our communities once and for all,” Trump declared during the ceremony.
The legislation, a long-standing Republican priority, passed with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Trump had campaigned heavily on stricter immigration policies, frequently referencing the case of Laken Riley, a nursing student whose death became a rallying point for immigration reform.