History of Laken Riley Act in Timeline

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention, without bond, of non-citizens arrested for or admitting to committing specific crimes, including theft, assault on law enforcement, or crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for alleged failures in immigration enforcement, referencing United States v. Texas (2023). The act aims to strengthen immigration enforcement and prevent the release of non-citizens accused of serious offenses.

1996: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act

In 1996, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act required that aliens who had committed certain crimes (e.g., aggravated felonies, drug and firearm violations, or human trafficking) be detained without bail while their immigration proceedings were pending.

September 2022: José Antonio Ibarra illegally entered the U.S.

In September 2022, José Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan man, entered the United States illegally, crossing the United States' southern border with Mexico near El Paso, Texas.

2023: Ibarra arrested for shoplifting

In 2023, José Antonio Ibarra was arrested on charges of shoplifting in Athens, Georgia.

2023: States can sue Department of Homeland Security

In 2023, the Laken Riley Act allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for alleged failures in immigration enforcement against United States v. Texas.

February 22, 2024: Laken Riley Murdered

On February 22, 2024, Georgia resident Laken Riley was murdered by José Antonio Ibarra.

March 7, 2024: House passed the bill

On March 7, 2024, the Laken Riley Act passed the House by a vote of 251–170.

January 7, 2025: H.R. 29 passed the House

On January 7, 2025, H.R. 29 passed the House by a vote of 264–159 as the first bill passed in the 119th Congress.

January 22, 2025: House agrees to Senate's version of the bill

On January 22, 2025, the House agreed to the Senate's version of the Laken Riley Act with a 263–156 vote.

January 29, 2025: President Donald Trump signed the bill into law

On January 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law.

December 2025: Non-citizens detained under the Act

As of December 2025, reportedly 17,500 non-citizens had been detained and/or turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for detention and processing under the provisions of the Laken Riley Act.