ATLANTA — The United States House of Representatives has passed an amended version of the Laken Riley Act, and it now will go to President Donald Trump to sign into law.
The new law will require the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants without legal status accused of theft, burglary, and other crimes.
The bill also creates a provision for the various attorneys general of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures to enforce immigration law, according to the legislative text.
The bill was named for the Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan man who was in the country illegally.
RELATED STORIES
- Laken Riley Act clears second hurdle in US Senate
- US Senate to vote on Laken Riley Act, Georgia Senator confirms his support for bill
- Laken Riley Act passes U.S. House nearly 1 year after nursing student murdered on UGA campus
Her death became a rallying cry for Trump’s White House campaign.
Earlier this week, the Senate passed the act by a vote of 64-35.
The Laken Riley Act is expected to be the first piece of legislation Trump signs in his second term.