President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, signed an immigration detention measure into law, saying it will save the lives of countless innocent Americans
This is even as the Republican-dominated Congress angles to execute his agenda.
The House gave its final approval of the Bill in a 263-156 vote Wednesday, with 46 Democrats joining all Republicans in favour of the new law. The measure was earlier passed in the Senate on Monday in a 64-35 vote, with 12 Democrats breaking with their party to back it.
The new law called the Laken Riley Act, named after the slain nursing school student who was attacked and killed by a Venezuelan citizen who had entered into the US illegally, is the first legislative win of Trump’s second term.
Trump opened his remarks with a victory lap, crediting his immigration agenda for his victory in the election and thanking the Republican and Democratic lawmakers who brought the bill to his desk.
“That’s why I’m here instead of somebody else. Actually, it’s the biggest reason,” Trump said in remarks in the East Wing of the White House, as touted what he called the “landmark” law that is “going to save countless innocent American lives.”
The president praised late Riley as “a light of warmth and kindness,” thanking her parents and sister who attended the bill signing, and said the cause had brought together Democrats and Republicans.
“That’s not easy to do,” Trump said. “Laken did it. America will never ever forget Laken Hope Riley.”
Written by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., the Laken Riley Act bears the name of the nursing school student who was murdered last year in Athens, Georgia. A Venezuelan citizen who entered the United States illegally was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Riley’s killer was released after being charged in New York, and again after stealing in Georgia, Trump said.
The president said the law would save “countless” lives, and credited it as “a perfect, incredible tribute to an unbelievable young lady.”
The Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested or face charges or who have been convicted of “burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.”
